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 Local Government Areas affected by this year’s flood are Ogbaru, Anambra West, Anambra East, Ayamelum, Awka North and Ihiala LGAs.
Mr Thickman said that the relief materials were brought by the Nigerian Government to alleviate the sufferings of the victims.
“They include Rice, Beans, Groundnut oil, clothing, Mosquito nets, mats seasoning and Garri among others.”
He also implored the people to always take proactive preventive measures to mitigate the adverse effects of natural disasters in future and for the government to look into flood disasters and management, to avoid repetitions.
Me Thickman urged the State Government to strengthen its Emergency Management Agency and Local Management committee for better managing flood disasters.
The Deputy Governor, of Anambra State, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Government saying “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 to manage the situation.’’
Ibezim said that this year’s incident is unprecedented and that Anambra State has never had it like this before.
“It was five LGAs in other years but we have seven 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,’’ he explained.
Dr Ibezim noted that the flood is receding but Anambra would expect an upsurge because of where it is positioned.
He said; “Anambra is ready to evacuate people to the 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 per cent of those affected 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 jackets which have been distributed. 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 Executive Secretary SEMA, Mr Paul Odenigbo expressed gratitude to NEMA on behalf of the state government for the relief materials, saying “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 28,000 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’’.
