Commentary: Curtailing The Effects Of Flooding In Anambra

^{WRITTEN BY PAUL ODENIGBO}
It is no longer mere prediction or speculation; another deluge has finally arrived Anambra state with its attendant disastrous effects on lives and property in the flood-prone communities.

Consequently, the federal government, through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has, in compliance with presidential directives, officially declared national disaster in Kogi, Niger, Delta and Anambra states, where flood has already submerged many communities. Eight other states have also been placed on the watch list of NEMA.
The ongoing deluge is a manifestation of earlier forecasts by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency and Nigerian Meteorological Institute, NIMET. Moreover, there are very strong indications that the Cameroonian authorities might be compelled to release excess water from the Lagbo dam in that country as was the case in 2012, when Nigeria experienced one of its most devastating flood disasters in history. This is because the Cameroonian dam is, this year again, almost full. Thus, might be forced to release water into Nigeria’s Benue River.
Already, the Kainji and Jebba dams in Northern Nigeria are overflowing with water due to torrential rainfalls, and the impacts are being felt in Rivers Niger, Benue, Omambala and Ezu among others. Sadly, about a hundred persons have so far lost their lives in different parts of the country due to torrential rainfall and massive flooding
In order to minimize adverse effects of rainstorms, Governor Willie Obiano, who is also the chairman of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, about five months ago, directed the organisation to commence early warning sensitisation meetings with stakeholders of flood- prone local government areas. The enlightenment tour took SEMA officials to the ten flood inclined local government areas such as Ayamelum, Anambra East and West, Ogbaru, Onitsha North and South as well as Awka North. Others are: Idemili South, Ekwusigo and Ihiala local government areas.  The tours, which were done in conjunction with staff of the Southeast zonal office of the National Emergency Management Agency, Enugu, mainly focused on the urgent need for residents of flood-prone communities to evacuate to higher and safer grounds in other parts of the state.
In its characteristic responsiveness, the Obiano administration, through the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, has promptly mobilised all relevant government departments in addition to the Army, Navy, Police, Civil Defence, Road Safety, Red Cross and UNICEF among others to rise to the challenge. This is being done under the direct supervision of the state deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
Relief materials have been provided for fifteen out of the twenty-eight Holding Centers for Internally Displaced Persons. The fifteen Holding Centers that have received immediate attention are located at Father Joseph Secondary School, Aguleri; Community Secondary School, Umuoba-Anam and General Hospital, Umuleri for Flood Victims in Anambra East and West, while the others are at the local government Secretariat, Atani and Odekpe for victims in Ogbaru local government area.
Because the entire Anambra West is presently submerged entirely by flood, victims in the local government are being quartered at Holding Centres in Anambra East. Those who may be adversely affected in Ayamelum have their Holding Centres at Anaku, Umumbo, Omor and Igbakwu.
Adequate arrangements have been made by the state government to evacuate all the Flood Victims who would be encamped in all the Holding Centres in the state. They would be fed well. Their immediate medical needs would be taken care of while the education of their children would be attended to during their temporary stay at the Holding Centres whose environments must be kept clean to prevent the outbreak of epidemic. This explains why the ministries of health, education and environment are totally involved in the provision of palliative measure to ameliorate the plight of the Flood Victims. It is also a thing of joy that the Obiano administration has contacted NEMA to come quickly with additional relief materials for victims of the flood.
Meanwhile, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Obiano and his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, have variously visited and inspected flood ravaged riverine areas and Holding Centers in the state with a view of providing succour to the hapless victims.
With all these contingency arrangements of the state government, the onus is now on residents of flood-prone communities to, without further delay, relocate from their endangered environment to safer grounds and the Holding Centres in the state.