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The Abia Team on Early Warning Sensitisation Programme has taken its campaign to Arochukwu LGA of the State, sensitizing Abians on the need to keep their surroundings clean to avert being victims of flood disaster.
A statement made available to newsmen by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Environment, Mrs Obioma Chidinma on Saturday, said the Team had earlier visited Ukwa West and East as well as Aba North and South, sensitising Abians on the need to desilt the drainages regularly, maintain good hygiene as well as take other precautionary measures that will ensure they are not caught in the web of flood which is ravaging states and communities in Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday in Arochukwu, the Commissioner, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, who is the leader of the Team, represented by the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Environment, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, said the sensitisation programme is borne out of the warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which has predicted flooding in parts of the states and country.
According to the statement, the Commissioner who highlighted the global impact of climate change noted that Lagos, Anambra, Enugu are examples of states already witnessing heavy flooding, adding that as a responsible government, ably led by Governor Alex Otti, the State Government has set up machinery to inform Abians and keep them abreast to avert impending danger.
On his part, Mr Chris Ike, Head of Department, Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, called on the people of Arochukwu to assist the Governor Alex Otti led administration in the State to avert likely flooding in Arochukwu, reminding them that keeping their surroundings clean, ensuring that drainages are not blocked, remain the only way they can prevent their homes from being submerged by flood.
He charged the Royal Fathers (Ndi Eze) to join the crusade by preaching to their communities friends, and family members on the need to avert the impending flood, saying the Abia State Government has embarked on sensitisation programmes on Radio, Television as well as printed stickers and flyers to get Abians ready.
Contributing, the Head of Department, Disaster Management, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Alphonsus Onuegbu, advised the people of Arochukwu to desist from blocking the drainages especially when it rains, decrying that most people seize the opportunity when it rains, to block the drainages with their refuse, pointing out that this action will further make them prone to flooding.
He enjoined them to assist the government of Governor Alex Otti to ensure that Abia State communities are not submerged by flood, saying that it is not an experience worth witnessing.
Also speaking, a representative from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Sunday Jackson, represented by Mrs Kalu Chinyere, stated that their role is to create the necessary awareness geared towards raising the consciousness of the people, advising the people of Arochukwu to adhere to warnings by the NiMET and ensure that they don’t engage in acts that will sabotage the efforts of the State Government at ensuring that any part of the State is not hit by flood.
Lending their voices, Mrs. Eunice Obinna, a representative from the Abia Homeland Security and Ndubuisi Peters from the Department of Flood and Erosion Control, John Ogbonna, a representative from Fire Service, harped on the need for Abians to resist the temptation of blocking the drainages, avoid building on water channels just as she advised them to desist from engaging in acts that pose threat to the ozone layer.
According to them, flood and erosion are serious environmental threats to human beings, highlighting the need for households and business operators to ensure that they do not block the drainages as this will make them vulnerable to flood just as Ogbonna enjoined Abians to protect themselves.
In his vote of thanks, the Mayor of Arochukwu, Engineer Dr.Chibuike Okereke Eze-Aro, represented by Okorie Chinedu, lauded the Team for taking their time to explain to the people of Arochukwu what is expected of them and how to play safe to avoid being caught in the web of flooding.
He commended the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti for his proactiveness in ensuring that Abia does not witness flooding, assuring that his Council will deepen the sensitisation.
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