By Ibezim Samuel
Volunteer Engineers on flood disasters, a non-governmental organization, that work in conjunction with Niger Care Development Aid International, stormed the Imo State House of Assembly to proffer solution on how to handle the flood disaster that ravaged Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema Local Governments. They were attended to by Hon Innocent Eke, Hon Dibiagwu and Hon Dimaku on the speakers’ behalf. The volunteer engineers are young FUTO graduates.
Their spokesman, Engr. Duru Iheanyi told the lawmakers that their purpose is to help salvage the effects of the flood. Engr. Iheanyi informed the lawmakers that they were at the affected areas on 13th of October, 2012 and they donated some items to the victims after collecting some samples in a mid-term research on the causes of the flood, its effect and how to prevent another flood occurrence. Some of the tests according to him, carried out are structural integral test to ascertain the strength of existing flood affected structures and to know its loan bearing capacity while frequency analysis is to determine flood return period and its magnitude. He also said that the parameter they used in the flood test is its depth, width, rate of flow and the amount of soils viz sandy and salty soil. Engr. Iheanyi said that they also want to stop the endemic diseases that will erupt after the flood is over, as mosquitoes are now haunting the flood victims. He also prescribed that the flood victims can utilize their land to plant and harvest twice in a year. They finally called for the support of Imo Government and thanked the House for setting up a committee on flood matter.
In response to their requests and findings, Hon Ekeh thanked them for coming to partner with the government and promised to work with them. He however, tasked them to be accurate and concise in their recommendations as its success and failure would be attached to them. He also asked them to go and complete their tests but should not fail to mention their parameter used in determining the depth, width, rate of flow of sand among other things. He wished them well and urged them to be timely and accurate in submission of their final reports.
