JDPC Begins Renovation of Schools, Hospitals Damaged by Floods in Anambra Community

By Praise Chinecherem

Renovations of service points such as schools and primary health centres, which were badly damaged by flooding, has commenced in twelve out of the 16 communities of Ogbaru Local Government Area.

The renovation is being carried by Justice Development and Peace Caritas, (JDPC) Onitsha, under the Flood Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Project, funded by Catholic Relief Services.

Updating newsmen on the project, the Project Lead, JDPC Onitsha, Shadrach Nwekeagu, explained that a stakeholders’ town hall meeting was earlier held to prepare the locals for the renovation.

“During the town hall meeting, we robbed minds together to strategize and determine the best way forward”.

According to Nwekeagu, the renovation of Odekpe Primary School, Obuetiti has been completed with toilet facilities and soaker pit provided. We had to reinforce the foundation of the backside of the classroom building and amended the cracks on the walls.

“For some parts, we added iron rods to ensure that the renovation is solid. We did a holistic and critical infrastructure overhauling in that facility. The floor, the doors and windows that were missing, were restored after which we painted the facilities”.

The renovation also included the construction of about 70-feet long and 12-feet wide retaining wall, casted with various diameters of rods and pillars.

“We ensure more cement than sand to achieve something durable that can stand the pressure from flood water. We also constructed a water embankment wall to prevent and reduce the speed with which flood flows directly from River Niger into that part of the community”.

Nwekeagu explained that work has also commenced at Ogwuikpele and Akili-Ogidi.

“Due to the fact that we can’t stop flooding from coming, we went down to Ogwuikpele to start the work advancing upward from there. Ogwuikpele has a PHC which is in good shape, but we are doing other things that need to be done.

“However, their school is out of shape, seriously damaged and their toilet facility is badly damaged. So, we are all working on all of them to keep services going.

“We’re also putting up retaining walls and also using sandbag to as barricades to hold water back from coming into the community especially these critical service points.

“A new PHC is being constructed in Akili-Ogidi to replace the old one, which has been badly destroyed by flooding and the temporary one said to be unbefitting.

“We are also providing a new toilet facility. Akili-Ogidi is presently using a temporary apartment which is not befitting at all as PHC,” Nwekeagu added.