Awka – A Civil Engineering Expert, Chief Ben Emeka, has called on Anambra Government to set up temporary relief camps in some parts of the state in view of the impending flood.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Thursday.
Emeka, who hails from Anambra East Local Government Area, a flood prone area, said there had been enough warning at the national level on imminent flooding this year.
He said that though the state government had increased awareness campaigns, there was the need to build relief camps ahead of time.
The construction expert said the state could not afford to be taken unawares in spite of the warnings, adding that the people of his area were still struggling to recover from the loss of lives and property suffered in 2012 due to flooding.
He stressed the need for residents to ensure that the drains were free for easy flow of water.
“We will like the government to be proactive by way of arranging a makeshift resettlement centre, because we have experienced it some years back and we knew what we suffered.
“A lot of people were displaced, so I will like them to be proactive by way of making preliminary arrangements in the time being.
“ But meanwhile the people have a role to play, the role of making sure that the gutters in their houses were cleaned and desist from dumping of refuse in the gutters.’’
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The Anambra Emergency Management Agency had in Aug. 7, issued flood alert on 12 local governments of the state, including Anambra East, Anambra West, Oyi, Ogbaru,Onitsha North and Onitsha South.
Others are Awka North, Idemili North, Idemili South, Ihiala, Anyamelum and Ekwusigo.
The flood alert followed announcement by the Cameroonian authorities that it would release excess water from the Lagdo dam. (NAN)