Anambra State House of Assembly has called on the Governor Chukwuma Soludo to cause for immediate action, the establishment and construction of more permanent holding centers for flood Internally Displace Persons (IDP) for each of the river line local government area of the state.
Chief sponsor of the motion Rt. Hon. Nobel Chukwunonso Igwe while making his submission stated there have been a regular annual over flow of the bank of River Niger leading to flooding of the adjoining community.
Hon. Igwe who is the member representing Igbaru one constituency lamented over the devastating effect of the flood on life, property and activities within the affected region.
” Previous state government did not actually provide adaquate measures to curb the manace of flood on the affected victims .
” Children and aged persons have become velnarable to the threatening harzards associated with non provision of adequate holding camps for such emergencies.
” The state government can establish a standard holding centers for flood displaced persons at strategic places to contain such anomalies.
” In 2012, we witnessed a very devastating flood effect on some part of the state. Ogbaru and Anambra West where mostly affected. Most people lost their homes, farmlands and properties and it has been a re-calling decimal.
“On annual bases, once its first week of September, these areas are always sub-maged. Most people cannot move to other areas and pay for a temporal accomodation.
“It is the duty of the state government to cater for them on such emergrncies. It is better for us to plan now. We can go to upland areas and build a permanent holding centers so that if flood occures, victims will be avacuated and be taking care and after a while when it subsides, they can come back.
” The state government should take proactive actions. We lost many people last year in Ogbaru because they refuse to be avacuated’. Hon. Igwe said
Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Pius Okoye. Member representing Anaocha two constituency, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu. Member representing Anambra East, Hon. Obi Nweke. Member representing Ihiala 2 consstituency, Hon. Golden Iloh. Member representing Anaocha
One constituency, Hon. Nkechi Ogbuefi. Member representing Onitsha South 2, Hon. Jude Umennajiego. Member representing Anambra West constituency, Hon. Patrick Udoba. Member representing Aguata 2 constituency Hon. Anthony Muobike. Member representing Ayamelum constituency, Hon Bernard Udemezue. Member representing Onitsha South one constituency, Hon. Fred Ezenwa and Member representing Onitsha North One Constituency, Hon. Douglas Egbuna in their seperate submissions, supported the motion.
” We need proactiveness of goveernment. we should not wait for the flood to come. The people of Okija in Ihiala LGA has already started contributions.
” This is a life saving motion. Government should declear a state of emergency on flooding. A committee should be set up to find a lasting solution.
“Prevention is better than cure. A permanent solution should be sought.
” Government should start making plans for food and security.
