AWKA, Anambra State — In a proactive effort to address the perennial flooding issues in Anambra, Governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo has called on the federal government to implement lasting solutions to the flood disasters plaguing the state. This appeal was made during the 2024 flood early warning sensitization event held in Awka.
Governor Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, emphasized the critical nature of the sensitization initiative. He highlighted that Anambra faces annual flood-related losses and stressed the state’s commitment to partnering with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to educate residents in flood-prone areas. The aim is to reduce casualties and prevent avoidable damage.
While acknowledging the federal government’s efforts in providing aid during floods, Governor Soludo urged for more substantial measures, such as the construction of dams, to permanently mitigate flooding.
NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, elaborated on the agency’s strategies, stating that NEMA has adopted recent forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) to design effective disaster risk communication. This includes downscaling early warning messages to at-risk communities, a key focus of the sensitization event.
Mrs. Umar reassured that the federal government, through NEMA, will continue to provide prompt interventions during emergencies in Anambra.
The event saw the attendance of several key officials, including the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr. Paul Odenigbo; the Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi; and the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu.
