Rainstorm renders 500 homeless in Delta community

Over 500 people were rendered homeless as rainstorm wrecked Alifekede community in Ika South local government area of Delta state destroying property worth N200 million. Blueprint gathered that no fewer than 17 residents narrowly escaped death and others severely wounded as they were hit by flying objects during the storm. The community’s spokesman, Pa Monday Obiazi, told journalists that most of the injured victims were on admission in a hospital after first aid was administered on them. Obiazi, who spoke at the community market, lamented that the roofs of the market were blown off , thereby exposing goods including garri, yams, and pineapples to the rain which destroyed the foodstuff .
He described the loss as “too heavy” for the subsistence families and petty traders to bear, and, therefore, called on the relevant authorities to come to their aid with relief materials. Obiazi said as a result of the incident, the majority of the victims were “now taking refuge in neighbouring towns.” “I can tell you that it will be difficult for the victims to restart their lives on their own without adequate support. For the traders, they will have to go and obtain loans without collateral because some of their houses were affected.
“So, we need both the, local state, and federal governments and all the relevant agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to come and rescue us from the situation we have found ourselves,” he said. Also speaking, a youth leader, Engr. Obiazi Kingsley Isioma, said Alifekede was one of the most neglected communities in the state, adding that they were stunned by the level of destruction caused by the rainstorm. He appealed to the federal government, non-governmental organisations and spirited individuals to assist the victims by sending relief materials.