Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA has taken Flood sensitization campaign to ten Local Government areas of the state in its efforts to ensure that people are not taken unawares by the predicted flooding.
Chidinma Ikeanyionwu reports that Flood is an overflow of water which submerges land that is usually dry and can occur when rivers exceed their flow rate, expanding beyond their capacities and leaving their channels.
The effects of flood on Riverline Communities in previous years especially the 2012 flood and subsequent years of 2017, 2018 and 2019 were perhaps reasons the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA is not looking back in its effort to ensure that the ten Local Government areas identified as being at danger of flooding this year are prepared ahead to reduce the effects of the menace when it happen.
The communities were enlightened on flood preparedness, mitigation and response.
The sensitization campaign took off from Nkwor Omor in Ayamelum council area through Aguleri in Anambra East council area, Ogbaru council area, Ihiala, Onitsha North and was summarized at Anambra West council area.
Speaking after the campaign exercise, the Executive Secretary, SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo who was represented by a Director in the Agency, Barrister Chukwudi Onyejekwe said the aim of the sensitization campaign was to sensitize the people on how to manage their environment and also keep them at alert of the impending flood.
Chief Odenigbo thanked the state government for its pragmatism in the early provision of holding centres at different local government locations and equipping them to ensure the safety of the dwellers.
On what they are doing to sustain the message at the grassroots, the Chairman, Coordinators Local Emergency Committee on Flood, Engineer Nnamdi Esimai said that they have numerous programmes including sharing of fliers, town hall meetings, markets and motor parks’
sensitizations where they educate rural dwellers on the importance of timely flood preparedness and response.
Some of the dwellers in the areas visited including Mr. Ekene Nwaifeanyi from Umueze Anam and Mr. Fredrick Nwankpo from Umuoba Anam said they have offered sacrifices to their gods and may not be affected by the impacts of the flood.
The sensitization campaign was carried out by staff of SEMA, members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defencee Corps, and members of the Red Cross.
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