Flooding: Anambra advises citizens to relocate

People living in flood-prone areas in Anambra State have been advised to immediately relocate to approved Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) centres across the state.

Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) announced within the week that it had established 28 camps across the state for possible flood victims.

In a statement on Saturday in Awka SEMA said the directive became necessary in view of flood already threatening lives and property in coastal communities.

In a statement, Mr Paul Odenigbo, Executive Secretary of SEMA, explained that the decision was arrived at after a meeting with ministries, institutions and agencies involved in flood/emergency matters.

Odenigbo said the meeting chaired by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke, at the Government House, Awka, on Friday based its action on reports from critical stakeholders.

Quoting an earlier statement issued by his office, the SEMA scribe noted that government wanted residents of the affected areas to adhere to the forecast on flooding by relevant agencies.

“People living in towns and communities within the three local government areas – Ayamelum, Anambra East and Ogbaru – should move to IDP centres immediately to avoid impending devastations due to flood.

“Obeying this would enable us to minimise our losses as homes and farmlands are already being submerged under flooding,’’ he said.

The official reiterated the commitment of the government to assist the IDPs through the provision of adequate welfare packages for affected persons.

“Already, the government has made arrangements for them to be evacuated and camped in some designated centres within the various council areas.

“Residents of the affected areas are advised to move into them immediately,’’ he said.

Odenigbo said the National Emergency Management Agency and its state counterparts, SEMAs, had been alerted for prompt response to rescue those that might be trapped in affected areas.

“The security agencies and other stakeholders have been also notified to be battle ready to assist in the evacuation of people from danger.’’

Odenigbo said that government would appreciate contributions and support from donor agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations and philanthropists to ensure that losses resulting from flooding were minimised.

Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had listed 12 states, including Anambra, as areas likely to be affected by flood.

The agency said on Wednesday that the water level in Kogi, one of the states, had neared the 2012 level at 10.66m and called for vigilance by residents.

In 2012, NEMA reported that floods killed 363 people and displaced over 2.1 million others in 30 states