Old Anambra District Association proposes solutions to devastating floods in Omabala region

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA — Stakeholders successful the Omabala country of Anambra State, nether the Old Anambra District Development Association (OADDA), person projected measures to tackle the recurring yearly floods affecting the portion and different riverine communities successful the state.

At their maiden Townhall Meeting and Stakeholders Engagement Day 2025 successful Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area, OADDA outlined solutions specified arsenic dredging the River Niger and Omabala River (also known arsenic River Anambra) and constructing a dam connected strategical points of the River Niger. The interventions purpose to mitigate flooding caused by waters surging from bluish Nigeria and Cameroon, which inundate implicit 60% of Omabala’s landmass from June/July to October/November.

National President of OADDA, Chief Alex Onukwue, explained that dredging the Omabala River could summation its capableness to incorporate floodwaters, reducing the interaction connected homes, farmlands, schools, and healthcare facilities. He emphasized that governments astatine each levels person the capableness to instrumentality specified projects.

Chief Onukwue besides highlighted the imaginable benefits of dam construction, noting that it could make hydroelectric powerfulness for the Southeast region, make jobs for section youth, and supply semipermanent socio-economic advantages.

“The dredging of the River Niger and operation of a dam volition marque farmlands harmless for year-round cultivation, sphere carnal infrastructure, and amended the wide prime of beingness successful the Omabala region,” helium said.

On earthy resources, Chief Onukwue noted that Anambra State is an oil-producing state, with deposits successful Omabala contributing to the authorities and nationalist economy. He urged lipid and state operators to prioritize younker employment and see section communities successful manufacture activities.

Regarding infrastructure, Onukwue called attraction to captious roadworthy networks, including the Onitsha–Anaku–Omasi–Nsukka roadworthy extending to Kogi State and Abuja, and the Otuocha–Umueze Anam–Nzam–Oroma Etiti–Inoma roadworthy connecting to Ibaji communities successful Kogi. He stressed that improving these roads would heighten determination and nationalist socio-economic development.

Chief Onukwue recalled that the Anambra State House of Assembly passed the Riverine Areas Development Commission (RIVADEC) Bill successful 2021 to code the needs of riverine communities crossed 9 section authorities areas, including Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Oyi, Onitsha North and South, Ogbaru, Awka North, and Idemili North.

The lawsuit celebrated the contributions of notable personalities from Omabala, including erstwhile Governor Willie Obiano, the precocious Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Dr. Edwin Onwudiwe, HRH Igwe John Emeka of Umueze Anam, Dr. Tim Menakaya, Senators Alphonsus Ubanese Igbeke, Margery Okadigbo, Obi Anosike, and Dr. Tony Nwoye. The portion besides boasts amusement figures specified arsenic Pete Edochie, the Ezigbo Obiligbo family, Ozoemena Nsugbe, Ekwegbeli Anyanwu, Onwuzilike Udemgba, and Ifeanyi Agwuedu.

The Townhall Meeting was attended by accepted rulers, Presidents General of Omabala communities, women and younker groups, and dignitaries including Chief Primus Odili, Hon. Barr. Obi Calistus Nweke, Hon. Raph Okeke, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, Chief Tochukwu Nweke, SAN, and Barr. Francis Okeke.

Chaired by Rt. Hon. Obinna Emeneka, Ijele Omabala, the lawsuit marked a renewed committedness by stakeholders to code flooding and beforehand socio-economic improvement successful the Omabala region.

The station Old Anambra District Association proposes solutions to devastating floods successful Omabala region appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.