FLOOD: 5 EBONYI LGAS AT RISK — NEMA

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

The National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) has called for the evacuation of communities along river beds in five Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State as the country braces for impending flood disaster this rainy season.

The Coordinator of the Agency in the South East, Mr. Thickman Tanimo, made the call at the sensitization of some stakeholders on emergency management and preparedness in Abakaliki.

Mr. Tanimo said the call for evacuation of the communities followed 2022 Annual Seasonal Prediction and Flood Outlook released by the Nigeria Metrological Agency in collaboration with National Hydrological Agency.

He noted that Afikpo North, Izzi, Ebonyi, Ikwo and Abakaliki Council Areas of Ebonyi State were among 233 others in 32 states that fell within high and moderate probable flood risk areas.

Mr. Tanimo appealed to the stakeholders to sensitize people in their communities and work places to emergency preparedness as well as to clear water ways for free flow of excess water in their domain.

The State Commissioner for Human Capital Development, who doubles as the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Ann Aligwe, noted that incessant occurrence of flood and other disasters in the state necessitated the sensitization which would be cascaded to the grassroots.

A farmer, (who didn’t mention his name) whose crops were destroyed recently at Ndiegu Igbudu in Ikwo Local Government Area and a victim of herders attack at Egedegede in Ishielu Local Government Area recounted their experiences and appealed for relief donation from NEMA.

There were demonstrations on the application of first aid and pre-hospital life support, emergency evacuation and fire disaster management.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU