Delight Chinedum
Anambra state government has reasured residents of flood-prone communities in the state of speedy delivery of palliatives ahead of predicted flooding in the state.
Commissioner for Special Duties, Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche who gave the assurance in a press briefing said the era of complaints of late arrival and distribution of palliatives by flood victims was over with the advent of her ministry.
The Commissioner had earlier commenced flood intervention pre-planning activity with interactive meetings with those living in riverine communities in the sta
The meetings provided opportunity for government to evaluate impact of previous years’ flood intervention efforts and to get feedbacks from the locals mostly affected by the deluge in order to plan and design more holistic, effective and efficient flood intervention programme.
The engagement was also targeted at sensitizing the people on the upcoming flood as predicted by Nigeria Hydrological Services and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET.
Addressing reporters in her office on Wednesday, Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche said, “We went ahead of time to sensitize the major areas four areas- Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra East and West on the need to relocate to upland.
“We assured the residents there won’t be delay in distribution of palliatives. As soon as we receive them, we’ll move them to the direct beneficiaries.
“With the type of Governor we have who has the interest and affairs of the poor and downtrodden at heart, it will no longer be business as usual.
“I remembered visiting those areas with my colleagues as a lawmaker, but now I’m in the executive, I’ll be leading the team.
“We’ll definitely mobilize men and materials to those areas ahead of the deluge to ensure adequate attention and care are given to the victims.
“Luckily, most of the roads that constituted hindrances to accessing those areas have been taken care of. The roads are so fortified that floods no longer affect the areas unlike before.
“We’re optimistic that the situation will not be as critical as it used to be when flood comes. We’re going to act fast. We’ve been watching the rain and flood. So far, no cause for alarm.
“Ironically and regrettably, where we’re even noticing challenges is within the city centre, where people build on waterways and when rain comes, they’ll be blaming government.”