ESUT Blamed for Flooding Crisis in Ulunya Ovoko, Community Calls for Urgent Action
Ulunya Ovoko faces severe flooding due to Enugu State University's poor drainage system and road diversion, endangering local residents ahead of the rainy season.
Mary Nwaeze 
Enugu State University of Medical and Allied Sciences (SUMAS) in Ulunya Ovoko, a once-celebrated addition to the Igboano community, is now a source of concern due to severe flooding caused by poor drainage and a controversial road diversion. With the rainy season approaching, the situation has become critical, threatening the safety and livelihoods of the local population.
Flooding Threatens Ulunya Ovoko's Safety and Livelihoods
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Ulunya Ovoko, home to around 5,000 people, is experiencing significant flooding risks from the university's drainage system. The community's residents, many of whom are farmers, report substantial damage to their homes, livestock, and farmlands due to inadequate drainage. The issue has led to several tragedies, including the displacement of families and destruction of homes.
Local leaders like Aloysius Ezeugwu, the community's youth leader, have voiced their concerns about the dangers the community faces. “The flood has rendered one of our mothers homeless. Last year, flood submerged her house at night, causing the entire building to collapse. Water gets even into people’s bedrooms. Some have lost all their livestock due to the flood,” he said.
Road Diversion Exacerbates the Problem
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The flooding problem is further aggravated by a road diversion that channels water from SUMAS to the community. This diversion was part of a federal government project intended to link the university to surrounding areas, but the construction work was halted, leaving Ulunya Ovoko exposed to the risks of flooding.
The road, awarded to Ojideo-Ligne Engineering Company Limited, was redirected from its original course, which would have included proper drainage systems, towards the community, causing increased flooding. The road, measuring about four kilometers, was intended to connect the Igboano Specialist Hospital to Ovoko-Orba Road, but the incomplete construction has left Ulunya Ovoko in a precarious state.
Calls for Government Intervention
Community members have made repeated calls for intervention from both state and federal authorities. Despite these efforts, solutions have been slow to materialize. Former council chairman Hon Celestine Asogwa mentioned that while he attempted to improve the road with culverts and grading during his tenure, the drainage system collapsed after his term ended. Efforts to reach the company responsible for the construction project, Ojideo-Ligne Engineering Company Limited, have been met with limited responses.
The commissioner for works, Enugu State, Engr Gerald Otiji, recommends that the community formally notify SUMAS authorities of the flooding issue and escalate the matter to the state ministry of works if necessary. This step could help bring about a resolution to the ongoing crisis.
A Community in Desperate Need of Support
Ulunya Ovoko’s residents face significant challenges as the rainy season approaches. The community's leaders and residents are seeking urgent assistance to prevent further disasters. Without immediate action, the flooding crisis could have devastating long-term consequences for the community, impacting not only its residents but also the students and staff of Enugu State University.
It is critical for the Enugu State government, SUMAS, and other stakeholders to collaborate in finding a permanent solution to the drainage and road issues causing this flooding crisis. The people of Ulunya Ovoko deserve safety, stability, and support as they navigate the uncertainty brought on by these environmental challenges.
