In response to the numerous complaints received from residents of the flood-prone communities in Anambra State over the late arrival of flood palliatives and interventions, the State Government on Tuesday assured that things will be done differently this year if the floods come.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt Hon Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche gave the assurance in a chat with newsmen in her office in Awka, on the activities of her ministry.
Recall that the Ministry had embarked on sensitization visits to communities in Local Government Areas usually affected by flood in the state, some of which included, Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra West, and Anambra East.
A major feedback from the visit was the complaint by the affected communities, who are mostly farmers, that the agricultural inputs sent by the federal government for them to plant, do not arrive early enough to enable them to plant early before the next year’s rains.
According to Commissioner Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, the visit was a fact-finding one and the state government in its proactive manner, has resolved to be ready with immediate interventions, once the flood comes.
“We decided to visit the areas ahead of the flood, since NIMET began the flood alerts, to sensitize them early enough on the need to move to higher grounds once the flood starts coming and to know what the government could do to improve their survival capacity.
“This time around, Anambra State Government would be the first to come with palliatives for the flood victims, before we wait for the federal government,” she assured.
The Commissioner also noted that as a way of reducing the flood impact, the Chukwuma Soludo administration had constructed roads with appreciable height, to ensure that the entire area is not submerged in the event of flood.
The Commissioner however noted that a major flood challenge across the state is in the cities, where people undertake all kinds of structures without recourse to development plans.
“The challenge is in the cities where people build on waterways, even in the so-called estates. This makes it difficult for flood water to pass and as a result, pushes them into people’s homes.
“Our people should refrain from such wrong practices.
“You don’t go putting yourself in trouble and then turn around to blame the government for not coming to your rescue.
“So, part of our activities is to sensitize our people on the right attitude towards the environment,” Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche said.
Speaking on the mandate of her Ministry, the Commissioner explained that the Ministry was established by the governor as a handy arm to respond to critical situations and deliver results.
She said; “The governor wants a ministry that is handy to provide results in special areas.
“Therefore, our jobs cut across various Ministries but must be on the directive of the governor and we also usually sit down with the Commissioners or heads of the various Ministries and Agencies that our job cut across theirs, to streamline activities.
