MOVE TO HIGHER GROUNDS AND HOLDING CAMPS DURING FLOODING — ANAMBRA GOVERNMENT TELLS RESIDENTS

People living in the riverine areas of Ayamelum and Awka North Local Government Areas of Anambra State have been advised to be prepared to relocate to higher grounds in the event of flooding.

This followed the predictions by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) that some states in the country, including Anambra State, would experience flooding before the end of 2019.

This prompted the Anambra State Government through its emergency agency to embark on sensitization tour of the coastal local government areas to keep residents abreast of development and prevail on them to be on the alert and take preemptive measures for safety in anticipation of the impending flood disaster.

Addressing some stakeholders during a sensitisation tour of Ayamelum and Awka North Local Government Areas, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Chief Paul Odenigbo, called on farmers and residents living in the riverine areas to move over the to holding camps already provided by the government to avoid loss of lives whenever the flood would set in.

Represented by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on SEMA Media, Mr. Emeka Obinwa, Chief Oderaigbo noted that adequate provisions had been made for food and other logistics that would sustain the people for the period the incident would last.

The President General of Umumbo Community, Mr. Anthony Nnamah, while commending the Anambra State Government for its effort so far, however expressed regret that the relief items usually provided by the federal and state governments were never commensurate with the level of damage farmers incurred.

The President General, Omor Community, Chief Mike Nebife, for his part, cried out that of the over seven hundred households affected by flood in the community in 2018, only about forty victims received relief items donated by government.

Some stakeholders in Awka North Local Government Area, including Mrs. Ogechukwu Okolo and Mr. Ikechukwu Offokansi, called for the dredging of River Niger as well as financial compensation to flood victims to enable them continue their farming businesses after flood incidents.

Meanwhile Radio Nigeria gathered that six holding centres were designated for Ayamelum while three camps were provided for flood victims in Awka North Local Government Area by the Anambra State Government.

UCHE NDEKE