Following warnings by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) that flood will ravage many States of the federation in 2021, the Abia State Government led by Okezie Ikpeazu has stated its preparedness to ameliorate the effects of the predicted flooding in the State.
Governor of the State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu made this known in a statement made available to IGBERE TV on Friday.
While enumerating his government’s efforts at ensuring that the predicted nationwide Floodings do not have the feared devastating effects on the people, he called on them to dispose their wastes properly and desilt their drainages regularly “as our battle against the predicted floods across the nation is a collective responsibility”.
The Statement reads,
“Following the warnings in February of floodings in several states of the federation by the @nimetnigeria, warnings that were reiterated by by the @nihsa_ng in March, we have since taken steps to ameliorate whatever effect the predicted floodings will have on our people and State since we can do nothing to stop the force of nature.
“Part of the steps we’ve taken include our deliberate approach to the construction of deep and wide drainages where they never existed, and the reconstruction of some we thought were neither deep nor wide enough to collect storm water in areas prone to flooding in our State.
“This is in addition to the several roads we have constructed which will also allow for the smooth flow of flood waters into the drainages from where they flow into our major storm water collection points which we have also dredged for depth and width.
“My administration through the relevant agencies has also embarked on the desilting of drainages to allow for free flow of rainwater. So, while it won’t be unusual to experience flooding in Abia State as predicted by the nation’s foremost concerned agencies, we believe that the steps we’ve taken so far will help to ensure that the situation is bearable for our people.
“I call on our people to also complement Government’s efforts in this regard by disposing their wastes properly and not block the drainages or other water paths with them. I also call on them to clear their drainages regularly as our battle against the predicted floods across the nation is a collective responsibility”, he concluded.
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