EBONYI
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has advised residents of flood prone areas in Ebonyi to vacate to avoid danger.
Dr Desmond Onwo, Agency’s Director in Ebonyi gave the advice at the launch of it sensitisation campaign on danger of flood on Wednesday in Abakaliki.
Onwo stated that the relocation became necessary due to the 2022 prediction on flooding by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).
According to him, NIMET had predicted flooding in some state of the federations due to the heavy rainfall witnessing.
The Director called on the residents of the prone areas including Ebonyi, Izzi, Abakaliki, Ezza-North, Ikwo local government areas amongst others to obey the NIMET’s predictions, take measures and relocate.
“This will go a long way to safeguard assets and property in the areas,” the Director added.
Onwo further advised the people of Ebonyi to adopt simple environmental safeguards, including opening of waterways.
“Yes, some flooding disaster are natural, while very many of them are usually man-made.
“Stop dumping of refuse in the gutters among others. Stop erecting of buildings along the water channels to avoid blockage that can cause flooding.
“On my advice to Ebonyi government, they should rise up to their work and clear drainages,” he advised.
Onwo urged the traditional rulers, Religious leaders and women and youth groups to assist NOA to enlightening people in their localities on the danger flooding.
It recalled that the indigenes of Amagu, Inyimagu, Igbudu, Ekpomaka, Achara and Alike communities in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi had earlier in August been affected by flooding.
Mr Christopher Mbam, one of the victims of the flooding in Alike community said many houses and farmland have been submerged, especially rice, yam and cassava farms.
Mbah said the persistent flooding in the state would result to food scarcity.