Environment, Environment Briefs
The Japanese Government and the United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS), have donated 10 vehicles, ICT equipment and installed flood detective-device to support Anambra State in mitigating flooding and other climatic challenges.
The donation which took place on Thursday in Awka, was done through the ‘Emergency Support to Climate Change’ initiative, in response to the impact of the 2022 flood disaster experienced in Anambra.
Speaking on behalf of the Japanese Government, the Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, Mr Hitoshi Kozaki, said the intervention was targeted at saving lives and property.
“The Japanese government is committed to helping Anambra state to mitigate flooding and other climatic challenges to save lives and property.
“In partnership with UNOPS, we are handing over 10 vehicles to improve logistical capacity and ICT equipment to enhance information and communication technology.
“The installation of two GPS water level detector sensors at key riverbank locations in the state to enable effective responses to floods and other climate-related disasters.
“These resources will help Anambra to prepare, manage and address future threats and climate change challenges,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba, Director UNOPS, Ghana Multi-Country Office, said the project was funded by the government of Japan through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and implemented by UNOPS.
Charles-Monwuba said the gesture was aimed at reducing the damages caused by the yearly flooding in Anambra state and to protect the people from future disasters.
Mr Herbert Appiah, Project Manager, UNOPS, said the project was critical in setting up and strengthening the Anambra state’s resilience and capacity to respond to extreme weather effects.
Responding, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state, thanked the Japanese Government and UNOPS for coming to the aid of the state.
Soludo, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, said the intervention would go a long way in complementing the efforts of his government towards protecting residents from adverse effects of flood disaster.
“Thank you for thinking about us. As a government, we have been doing so much to address flood disaster and other climatic change challenges confronting the state.
“We are still calling on international organisations and other developed countries of the world to assist Anambra in providing permanent solution to the annual flooding,” he said. (NAN)
30th January, 2025.
A.E
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