September Troubling Forecast: Anxiety in 15 prone states over poor preparations vanguardngr.com vanguardnews
By Dayo Johnson, Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugborhi, Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu Emma Una, Femi Bolaji, Chinonso Alozie, Ola Ajayi, Monsur Olowopeju, David Odama, Charles Agwam, Monsuru Olowoopejo, Umar Yusuf & Kabir DanKatsina
In response to the to the prediction by NHSA and NEMA, Rivers State governor, Mr, Nyesom Wike created flood response systems in Degema, Onelga, Obio Akpor, Abua/Odua, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku Toru, Gokana, Opopo, Port Harcourt City, Bonny, Gokanna, Oyigbo and Etche LGAs. Asked if the state has received Ecological Funds this year, Nwakaudu declined direct response, urging Sunday Vanguard to rather verify from the federal government. “Floods should not be politicised. Floods should not be used to seek attention,” Nwakudu added.
He said the directive by the governor is to prevent the kind of flooding experienced in 2012 which swept away Agwagwune community in Biase LGA. The governor said his government would readily support the implementation of the Ibadan Urban Flood Management and other ongoing intervention projects in the state.
However, the state government has taken various measures that would mitigate any problem arising from flooding. The Director of Relief and Rehabilitation of the Agency, Kabiru Kobi told Sunday Vanguard that his agency is ready for any eventuality. While noting that all key stakeholders have been put on red alert, Oke-Osanyintolu stressed that residents must also participate in reducing the impact of the flood in the state, saying, they have to engage in proper sanitation.
“As we intensify our sensitisation exercise, the Ministry of Health has commenced provision of additional equipment and renovation of the Primary Healthcare Centre, PHCs especially in the vulnerable local governments”. The state Commissioner for Environment, Tony Okere , who spoke to Sunday Vanguard in Owerri, said he could not confirm at the time of filing this report whether the state government has received the ecological fund, adding that measures are being put in place to mitigate any problem arising from the flood.
On its part, NEMA through its Head of Imo/Abia Operations Office, Mr Evans Ugoh, said it has concluded plans to visit the already built Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps around Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGA to ascertain its state. According to him, communities that have hitherto turned deaf ears to appeals to relocate from flood-prone areas owing to cultural beliefs are now prepared to shift their positions.
While contacted the Executive Director, SEMA, Abass Kamba told Sunday Vanguard that last month, officials of NHSA visited Kebbi and had a meeting with the officials of emergency agencies of Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina and Niger states. In Etsako Central and Etsako East, communities most affected were Udaba, Anegbette, Usomegbe, Uduchi, Udaba, Uzanu and several others. These areas are also likely to be affected going NHSA’s warning.
Speaking to Sunday Vanguard on its level of preparedness, the Chief Press Secretary to Esan South East LGA Chairman, Mr Ernest Omoarelojie appealed to NEMA to build a permanent structure to house displaced persons since flooding is perennial in the area. He said: “11 local government areas in the state have River Benue and other rivers’ tributaries flowing through them.
Two LGAs, Chanchaga and Bosso were gravely affected. As at press time, displaced people had not been resettled as some take refuge in Mosques, and Churches. “If we start establishing an IDP camp even those who have places to lay their heads would come to the camp. We can only support those who have needs for foodstuffs and beddings pending when we will come up with our final recommendations.’’In Delta State, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Christian Onogba, told Sunday Vanguard that the state government is looking at the two causes of flooding.
“A committee is about being set up by the state government to identify sites and IDP camps where we will take people that will be eventually displaced because some of these persons living along coastal lines are living almost below the poverty line.’’ They were particularly worried over how to repay the loans following the losses brought about by the flood.
“More importantly, this development would affect the drive towards ensuring sufficiency in rice production. Billions of naira had been lost to the flood by farmers in this state. Ogunbodede who said that the over 50 workers engaged at the association’s rice mill in Alayere community in Ogbese “would have to be laid off because the mill will be closed down for production.’’
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