Africa
By Chinyere Nwoye
SOUTH East Zonal coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr. Thickman Tanimu has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to flood victims in Anambra State.
The ceremony which took place at the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Warehouse, Awka had in attendance the Executive Secretary (ES) Chief Paul Odenigbo and the Executive Director (ED) Mr. C.Y. Agupugo and some NEMA officials.
The Local Government Areas affected by this year’s flood includes Ogbaru, Anambra West, Anambra East, Ayamelum, Awka North and Ihiala LGAs.
Mr. Thickman said that the relief materials brought by the Federal Government which includes Rice, Beans, Groundnut oil, clothing, Mosquito nets, mats seasoning and Garri are to aid alleviate the sufferings of the victims, “but that in no way equates with the huge losses suffered by the victims’’, he said.
He also implored the people to always take proactive preventive measures to mitigate adverse effects of natural disasters in future and for the government to look into flood disasters and its better management so as to avoid repetitions.
Thickman urge the State Government to strengthen the State Emergency Mangement Agency and Local Management committee for better Management of flood disasters.
The Deputy Governor, Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and said, “anything we are getting now is an addition to what the State Government has been doing; immediately the flood started the State Government swung into action’’.
He said that this year’s incident is unprecedented and that Anambra State has never had it like this before.
“It was five LGA’s in other years but we have seven affect now; NEMA just brought some relief materials, we have our distribution pattern and be rest assured that it will be distributed well. We won’t have any problems, we know all our centres.’’
Dr. Ibezim noted that the flood is receding but Anambra would expect upsurge because of where it is positioned.
“Anambra is ready to evacuate people to upland, most people don’t like leaving their houses because it’s their ancestral land but we implore them to leave and that it is temporal.
“Once the flood receded you can go back to your houses, 80 percent of those effected are mainly farmers; their means of livelihood is farming, fishing and all that so it will be difficult for them after the rains.
“Anambra State Government has introduced the use of life jackest which have been distributed to the state; we hope that our people will get used to it but on our part as a government we will continue to educate the people on the importance of using the device.
The ES SEMA, Mr. Paul Odenigbo expressed gratitude to NEMA on behalf of the state government for the relief materials given to Ndi Anambra and said that it would supplement what the state government has been doing, “because a huge number of our people are affected by this flood’’.
He noted that about 28000 people are in holding camps and they are spread across the 28 camps of the state.
“So I know that the relief materials will go a long way for our people but it is not enough, we are expecting more and pray that more will come’’.
A.I
Tags: Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim Mr. C.Y. Agupugo Mr. Paul Odenigbo Mr. Thickman Tanimu SEMA
