Governor Chukwuma Soludo has assured residents of Anambra state that they will receive immediate assistance.
Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Soludo’s Chief of Staff, said this while on a physical tour of flood-ravaged areas to assess the challenges and extent of damage.
The chief of staff reported that the governor ordered the visit in response to an alarm raised by locals. He was joined by Sir Paul Odenigbo, the executive secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Former Ogbaru Chairman Mr. Arinze Awogu pleaded with the Federal and Anambra governments to save the region from flooding.
Ezeajughi, who was alarmed by the rising water levels, assured that the state government would liaise with the Federal Government to ensure the quick evacuation of people and their property.
According to him, everything that needs to be done will be done and quickly too, to ameliorate the sufferings of the affected people, as well as safeguard lives and property.
Speaking during the visit, Awogu who is the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance for Ogbaru Federal Constituency, thanked Soludo for his concern for the welfare of the people of the area.
He expressed hope that the governor would make good on his promise to urgently intervene and called on the National Emergency Management Agency to immediately send relief materials to complement the efforts of the state.
“For about two decades now, Ogbaru people have lost billions of naira and human lives due to the yearly flooding, so we want all hands to be on deck to checkmate the ugly menace which is threatening the livelihood and existence of Ogbaru.
“What you have seen is a tip of an iceberg, if nothing tangible and drastic is done urgently, Ogbaru Council Area and other riverine communities in the state may face extinction due to continuous flooding over the years,” he said.
Other officials who joined the team were Mr Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Felix Odimegwu, Commissioner for Environment and Mr Nnamdi Esimai, the Coordinator of Local Emergency Management Committee.