NEMA advises Anambra flood victims to relocate to higher ground

Acting Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Air commodore Akhogbu Iyamu gave this advice in Ogbaru Local government Area of Anambra state during an assessment tour of the rising flood in the state.

He regretted that most victims have refused to heed to early warnings by the agency, blaming most flood cases in Nigeria to such negative responses.

“How will someone say it’s my ancestral home and wants to die there? This is not a time to defend whether the area is your ancestral home or not.

“To be able to push the narrative, you need to come out first and get saved before defending whether it’s your ancestral home or not,” he said.

According to Iyamu, the visit to the area was at the instance of the state government following early warnings by Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET).

“The agency has been following and closely monitoring the NIMET predictions and having seen the level of the flood disaster will take immediate actions,” he added.

Describing flood as a highly unpredictable natural phenomenon which is not peculiar to Nigeria, the NEMA boss assured victims of quick deployment of food and non-food items.

“The US, since 1926, through its army engineers have been managing flood and I don’t think it has gotten a solution,” he noted, expressing appreciation to the serving chiefs for making available necessary equipment for massive evacuation of victims.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Red Cross Society in the state, Prof. Peter Katchy, lauded the collaboration of the body with NEMA and other relevant agencies in times of emergency.

Katchy, who presented an award of commander of humanity to the NEMA boss, commended the agency for the visit, expressing hope of receiving relief materials soon.

Earlier, Chairman, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Arinze Awogu, described the area as the worst hit by the disaster, adding that “last year, we recorded 12 deaths with over 11, 280 IDPs in the flood that lasted more than two months.

“We are always excited when we see government presence because we are sure of succour.”