The slippery community of Oko, near Asaba, Delta state capital, was thrown into mourning penultimate Sunday when a 10-year old promising boy was reportedly swept away by the ravaging flood that accompanied the downpour on that ill fated Sunday.
An eye witness said the lad was on his way home at the end of a church service where he had gone to commune with his Creator.
But midway on his journey home, he was caught in the web of heavy downpour that left the city of Asaba and neighbouring towns flooded.
In the midst of the ranging flood, the poor boy attempted to get his footwear that was being carried away by the fast flowing water. But to no avail as the innocent child was eventually swept away by the fast flowing flood water.
His remains was found a day after, trapped by a stick in the flowing flood. The mother, Mrs Mary Esemene blamed the tragedy that befall the family on that faithful Sunday on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for refusing to complete the ongoing drainage project he embarked in Asaba and environs.
“For almost three years, Governor Okowa has been digging every nook and cranny of Asaba and environs. Oko is the worst hit as every footpath has become a death trap for residents in the area during raining season as this. That was how my son was killed,” she lamented.
But in a swift reaction, the State Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu dismissed the family’s claim, adding that the drainage project is a work in progress.
He said the state government cannot at this stage of the project, assigned it to another contractor as the Governor is working assiduously to checkmate the incessant flood crisis in Asaba and environs.
