Technical Working Committee on Prevention of Flood Disaster, Visits Anambra State, Assess Damages Caused by the Recent Flooding in the State

 Technical Working Committee on Prevention of Flood Disaster, Visits Anambra State, Assess Damages Caused by the Recent Flooding in the State 

By Vincent O Ezechukwu

In line with the Federal Government's resolve to find permanent solution to the perennial flooding that is ravaging several states along the banks of Niger and Benue Rivers, including Anambra State, a Technical Working Committee on Prevention of Flood Disaster in Nigeria, visited Anambra State to assess the level of damage caused by the 2022 flooding that affected Eight local government areas in the state.

The Technical Working Committee, which is part of the Presidential Committee on Prevention of Flood Disaster, headed by the Honorable Minister for Water Resources, was set up by the President to find permanent solution to the recent flood that devastated most of the states in North Central, South East and South South geo political zones, with a 90 days mandate to visit states affected by the 2022 flooding to assess the extent of damages caused by the flood and make recommendations on permanent solution to avert future occurrence.

Following this mandate, the team on Saturday, January 7, 2023 visited the most affected local government areas in Anambra State under the guidance of the state Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ably represented on the spot assessment tour by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim.

Mr Deputy Governor, while taking around the delegation led by Engr Dilichukwu Etigbuo, a director in the Federal Ministry of Environment, noted that the state experiences flooding on annual basis, with massive flooding occuring almost every five years, however, he stated that, the 2022 experience has never been witnessed in our recorded history, with its resultant damages, pleading that the state needs Federal Government intervention to rebuild washed away infrastructures.

Dr Ibezim, led the team to Anambra East and West and Ayamelum LGA, where the delegation had on the spot assessment of the washed away houses, schools. water treatment plants and power infrastructures.

Other flood damaged infrastructures visited by the team include, markets, bridges, culverts, farm lands and road infrastructures.

The delegation which was overwhelmed by the level of damage caused by the flood in communities such as Umuoba Anam, Miata, Umueri, Enugu-Otu Aguleri, Anaku and Omor amongst others, assured that they are noting all they have seen and will report back to the National Flood Steering Committee for immediate action.

Members of the state government team on the tour include the commissioner for Environment, Engr Felix Odumegwu, the Transition Committee Chairpersons of the Three local government areas visited, among other top government functionaries.