3 LGAs IN ANAMBRA RISK SEVERE FLOODING — EMERGENCY MGT AGENCIES WARN

REPORTER: IFEANYI CHINWUKO

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Anambra State Erosion,Watershed and Climate Control Agency and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has called on people of Ayamelum, Anambra East and Anambra West Local Government Areas to be on high alert for the coming 2023 flooding.

A delegation of the four emergency management agencies made the call when they went on flood sensitization tour of communities in the three council areas.

Addressing people of the council areas, the Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, South East Zone, Mrs. Ngozi Echeazu, represented by Mr. Kingsley Okoli called on town planning authorities of the council areas visited to ensure that people abide by all the flood precautionary measures when building houses.

For his part, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Paul Odenigbo, while stating that Ayamelum, Anambra East and Anambra West Local Government Areas would be among the worst hit in Anambra State this season.

He explained that the essence of the early sensitization visits was to make sure people and communities were not caught unawares.

Adding her voice, Mrs. Blessings Okafor of Anambra State Erosion, Watersheds and Climate Change Agency, advised the people of the flood prone areas to develop the habit of planting trees to checkmate the menacing movement of flood waters.

A representative of International Organization for Migration, (IOM), Mr. Samuel Hezekiah cautioned residents of the areas against dumping of refuse inside drainages and water channels.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman of Anambra West Local Government Area, Mr. Felix Ikeji, thanked the delegation for their timely sensitization and promised to ensure that the message of early flood preparation got to the people of the council areas.

The interactive sensitization meetings, which had he presence of traditional rulers, youth leaders, women leaders among other stakeholders across the council areas, ended in question and answer session.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU