By Praise Chinecherem
Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has predicted that over 233 local government areas in the 31 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are within highly probable floods risk areas, while 35 states of the federation are within moderately probable flood risk areas.
NEMA stated this during its sensitization visit to some communities in Anambra state organized in collaboration with Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), geared towards cushioning the effects of flood disaster on riverine communities in Anambra state.
Ten local governments visited were Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Anambra West, Anambra East, Idemili South, Onitsha North and South, Awka North, Ihiala, and Ekwusigo.
The visit followed prediction by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency to pass out accurate information to those living in the flood-prone area on how to avoid the disaster.
Addressing residents, Principal Administration Officer, NEMA, Enugu, Mr. Kennedy Ekeh, and the Executive Secretary SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo who was represented by director SEMA, Mr. Chukwudi Onyejekwu, charged the people on the need for them to prepare and never relent in relocating the areas affected as this year’s flooding gets closer.
“People living with disabilities will be their priority during the project as each and everyone one of them will be taken care of” and also plead to Ndi Igwe, President Generals among other stakeholders to pass the information across to their people.
“They further explained that According to the 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction released on 17 February 2022, that 233 LGAs in 31 states plus Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are within highly probable flood risk areas, while 212 LGAs in 35 states of the Federation are within moderately probable flood risk areas.”
In response, the Transition Committee (TC) Chairman, Anambra West, Felix Ikechi, the TC chairman, Anambra East and the chairman Ayamelum Town, Livinus Onyenwe who was represented by the head of administration in the council area, Valentine Onurah, beckoned on their people to make sure they work inline with SEMA directives on how to tackle flooding to avoid casualties, as it will help in securing lives and properties of the people.
They further urged the people to desilt their Gutters, keep the environment clean and promised to ensure that the information is being circulated down to the grass root.
Igwe Benjamin Okeji of Omasi community, while expressing gratitude to the Anambra state government and SEMA group for the sensitization and various interventions geared towards educating the people on the effects of the flood disaster, urged the people to take the warning seriously, and never relent in keeping their environment clean.
Traditional Ruler of Umolum, Igwe Christopher Ndibe, and Igwe Simeon Chidubem of Umubo were present during the visit to Ayamelum.
