Residents of Anambra State have been urged to join hands with government to mitigate adverse effects of flooding in this rainy season.
Speaking in Awka, the Managing Director, Anambra state Waste Managing Authority, ASWAMA, Mr Amechi Akorah said that government is taking all necessary measures to protect the state environment from flood devastation, following prediction by Nigerian Meteorological Agency-NiMet.
Paul Ezeoke reports that
according to NiMet, some parts of the country including Anambra State will witness flooding this year, as a result of the above normal rainfall pattern due to increasing intensity rainfall at the peak of the season, especially in areas that are naturally prone to flooding.
Mr Akorah said ASWAMA in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government recently embarked on special intervention during which heaps of refuse were successfully moved away from various points in Awka and environs while similar exercise is ongoing in various parts of the commercial city of Onitsha, adding that the agency has continued its daily routine activities and is deploying more vehicles for regular and accelerated waste collection, disposal and management.
He disclosed that the agency is clearing banks along riverine area of Anambra East to enhance effective monitoring of water rise for prompt action, while the state government has sustained efforts to keep drainages free for easy flow of water and cautioned corn sellers and other hawkers against dumping refuse indiscriminately, while developers should desist from building structures across natural waterways to avoid blockage.
Mr Akorah also cautioned against indiscriminate sand excavation to avoid altering natural waterways and forcing water to take wrong channels that could aggravate flooding and disclosed that ASWAMA is initiating closer collaboration with communities, markets, churches, schools and other stakeholders to intensify sensitization and enlightenment on need to imbibe friendly attitude to protect the environment.
Also speaking, an environmentalist, Mr Ken Nwafor, called on people in riverine areas to remain vigilante and report rise in water level promptly to relevant authorities and avoid illegal structures that could block the waterways.
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