| ABAKALIKI – The Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency has expressed its determination to tackle the perennial flooding affecting the people of the state.
The agency’s chairman, Mr Igboke Umunna, made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Tuesday.
Umunna, said that the state government’s resolve was based on the National Emergency Management Agency’s prediction that the state would be affected by flooding during this rainy season.
He said that the agency would soon embark on sensitisation programme to teach people in rural and urban areas to shun acts capable of causing and encouraging flooding.
“We have programmed the exercise to incorporate flooding, fire disaster and windstorm which come with the rains to destroy structures.”
He advised dealers in petroleum products, including kerosene, to stop adulteration which, according to him, has led to the loss of lives and property.
“SEMA as an agency has no authority to arrest, but we appeal to the law enforcement agencies to get the perpetrators for others to take precaution.
“We appeal to local government chairmen and development centre coordinators to report disasters promptly to the agency.
“We heard that windstorm had ravaged houses at Uwanna Ubenyi community development centre but the coordinators and local government are yet to report the incident to us.
“It’s not enough going to the radio house but assessment of natural disasters by the agency will also help,” Umunna said.
He noted that tree planting would prevent windstorm from destroying peoples’ houses and advised them to plant trees in their surroundings.
“People living in the rural swamp-prone areas should get ready to relocate, if the need arises.”
The chairman observed that flooding in Abakaliki is caused by the overflow of Iyokwu and Iyiudene rivers.
He suggested that bigger bridges should be constructed along the rivers end flooding in the state. (NAN) |
