No fewer than 5,000 residents of Ngbuoba and Nkpolu-Rumuigbo communities in Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of Rivers State have been sacked, following the overflowing of Ohiamini stream, which flooded many homes in the area.
The water level in worst of the affected places along NTA road had water as high as the ceiling, while some of them in sloppy areas were submerged.
The flood, which followed two days of heavy downpour, sources said, may have been caused by developers who filled and built houses on the course of the stream.
When THISDAY visited the area, residents personal effects were seen floating, while what used to be football fields served as swimming pools for youths who were seen swimming.
Most salvaged properties like rugs and upholstery seats were seen on top of walls, while the roofs of cars parked in compounds could barely be seen .
The flood, which covered an area of at least 10 square kilometers, stretched as far as Rumuokoro and Uniport road, where some NEPA poles collapsed.
With the flood, parts of Ngbuoba and NTA roads have collapsed, while swim through window-high water level.
Virtually all residents of an estate were seen moving their belongings that could be salvaged, while some of the affected residents said they were moving out of the estate to avoid the worst.
They said after the rains, they discovered that water came from underground, destroying their property.
Mr Nlem Okoro, a banker who had just paid two years rent for an apartment had to make alternative arrangements barely three weeks after moving in.
He said the walls were shaking before the submerging, and so, would rather forfeit the rent than risk his life.
On whether his landlord has spoke about rent refund, he said �I wish he would do that, I am sure it is wishful thinking though. How many people is he going to refund? If the water recedes, who will agree to rent such apartments? It is a loss to all concerned,� he said.
Boniface Etim, a mechanic whose workshop was submerged, threatened to commit suicide if any of his customers try to make him pay for or repair any of the submerged cars, because, �where do you expect me to get the money from?�
In a reaction, Rivers State government blamed residents of blocking drainages which caused the flooding, however, a look around the area showed that it had no drainages.
Sep272006