ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT SENSITISES RIVERINE COMMUNITIES ON IMPLEMENTING FLOOD

Farmers in riverine areas of Anambra State have been advised to liase with the State Ministry of Agriculture in order to get improved  seedlings that have early maturity duration. This is in a bid to be able to harvest such crops before the 2020 flooding sets in.

The Executive Secretary,  Anambra State Emergency Agency,  (SEMA), Chief Paul Odenigbo, gave the advice during a sensitization visit to flood prone local government areas in the state. The Nigeria Meteorological Agency,  (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA? in their weather forecast  predicted that there  would be early rainfall this year, 2020 and that fourteen states, including Anambra State, were likely to witness flood incidents.

In an interaction with Radio Nigeria, the Director General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Mr. Clement Nze, explained that relevant government agencies had been alerted on the need to be prepared and put measures in place. This prompted the State Emergency Management Agency  (SEMA) to embark on sensitization of the flood prone local government areas. They include Ogbaru,  Anambra East,  Awka North,  Ihiala, Anambra West, and Ayamelum Local Government Areas.

The move was to awaken their consciousness and prepare their minds for the impending natural disaster. The SEMA Executive Secretary,  Chief Paul Odenigbo, who lamented the impact flooding always had on the rural farmers,  advised the people to do their own beat by ensuring that all waterways in the area were cleared and arrangements made on time in case of any eventuality.

He cautioned them against building on waterways as well as planting crops that have long period of maturity.  The Executive Director of the agency,  Mr. Cyril Agupugo, while noting that government holding camps were in place in case of emergencies,  inaugurated Local Emergency Management Committees to serve as first respondents in the affected local government areas anytime there was an emergency situation.

In an interview, a clergyman, the Reverend Father Patrick Egwuatu from Omor,  Ayamelum and a woman leader in Amansea,  Awka North,  Mrs. Ifeoma Nwaokike, thanked the agency for the early sensitization of the people, noting that flood was a natural disaster that required only preparedness and dredging of the waterways.

The Transition Committee Chairman of Awka North Local Government Area,  Mr. Ferdinand Onwuje, and his Ayamelum counterpart, Mr. Benjamin Onyeabor, pledged to give all necessary support to the newly inaugurated Emergency Committees to ensure prompt response to any flood and other related emergencies.

Some people interviewed were hopeful that the state Ministry of Agriculture would provide them with improved seedlings early enough before the impending predictions.

UCHE NDEKE