The agrarian community, which has been experiencing serious flooding, has cried out to relevant authorities in the state and the federal governments to come to their aid.
The people of Umeh community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta state, have raised the alarm over what they called "imminent" collapse of the only bridge linking the community to the East-West Road of the Niger Delta region.
The agrarian community, which has been experiencing serious flooding, has cried out to relevant authorities in the state and the federal governments to come to their aid.
Among other appeals, they are calling on the authorities to save the popular Umeh bridge from collapsing following the ravaging flood which has rendered the people homeless.
Speaking to SaharaReporters on Friday, the President-General of Umeh community, Simon Emamowho shortly after overseeing as community youths brought sand bags to fill the failed portions of the bridge, disclosed that both sections of the expansion joints of the bridge are already caving in from below.
He added that unless the Delta state government without any further delay comes to their aid to prevent the imminent collapse of the bridge by supporting efforts of the residents, the bridge may collapse in no time.
"The bridge is the only access road connecting Umeh Kingdom to other parts of Delta state as well as to the East-West Road. Our people have been neglected and marginalised by successive governments until Emmanuel Uduaghan came to aid and constructed the only access road and bridge worth over N4 billion.
“We can't afford to lose this precious gift from the immediate administration of Uduaghan to flood. We call on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, President Muhammadu Buhari and other relevant government authorities and multi-nationals to as a matter of urgency and importance come to our aid. This Save Our Soul message must be taken seriously,” Emamowho appealed.
SaharaReporters gathered that following the incessant flooding in the area, a commercial bus plying the Ughelli/Port Harcourt section of the East-West Road on Thursday plunged into a river at the Umeh community junction while returning from Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
An Umeh community leader and a lawyer, Duncan Afahokor, following the flooding of major roads, has called on the federal government to immediately close the East-West Road to motorists to avoid any further casualties.
Afahokor, however, disclosed that following the unprecedented flooding across the Isoko nation, a group of Isoko persons within and outside Nigeria have met and come up with the "Isoko Floods Initiative", with an objective to provide community service and pay special attention to the provision of food and medical support to the victims and vulnerable women and children affected by the flood.
The group, according to Afahokor, has Evelyn Aluta as its team leader while he will serve as the assistant team leader.
Meanwhile, a middle-aged mother of five who was said to be sleeping, drowned on Thursday when her room became flooded at Ikpide-Irri riverine community, Isoko South council area of the state.