Heavy rainfall has once again flooded Enugu Road Primary School in Nsukka, Enugu State, intensifying fears over student safety and the structural stability of the institution. The school, which shares its premises with St John Catholic Church, has long struggled with flooding due to a blocked underground waterway along the Enugu-Nsukka expressway.
“This has always been a concern,” said a parent. “With the new term approaching, we live in constant fear for our children’s safety. Some parents have already transferred their children to other schools because of this recurring problem.”
Chinasa Ozora, a member of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), expressed frustration at the lack of effective solutions. “We’ve appealed to the relevant authorities multiple times. The local government even dug a borrow pit within the school premises to store water, but it clearly hasn’t resolved the issue,” she said.
Flooding has also impacted nearby homes and businesses, forcing residents to evacuate. Ozioko, a resident, recounted: “The rain started early this morning, and our building was already submerged. We are still trying to evacuate our belongings. It’s exhausting.”
Maria Eze, another resident, highlighted the school’s mitigation efforts, noting that school furniture had been relocated from flooded classrooms and that students had been shifted to safer blocks even before the term ended.
The Enugu State government has faced criticism over its perceived inaction in addressing the flooding. Ozora questioned the silence of state authorities: “It’s unclear why the government has ignored this particular area. Even the local council seems to offer only lip service.”
Residents are now calling for urgent, permanent measures to prevent further damage and safeguard both students and the wider community.
