The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Obiano to lead Anambra carnival

    Obiano to lead Anambra carnival

    Anambra State is still in a celebration mood several weeks after marking its 25th anniversary.

    This second phase of the four-month long anniversary celebration programme, according to the coordinator of the Anambra at 25 events, Chief Emeka Okonkwo, is fashioned to draw attention to the “rich tourism potentials of Anambra State, especially in this period of economic difficulty which calls for diversification and creativity in the revenue drive of the state.”

    Addressing the traditional rulers of the 179 communities in the state, at the Government House, Awka, Anambra state capital, Okonkwo solicited their support on behalf of the Organising Committee, for the remaining part of the anniversary programme.

    He said, “The Anambra @ 25 Committee wants to use this historical silver jubilee of our dear state to showcase not only  our rich cultural heritage, natural endowments but also our unique tourisms potentials.

    “Tourism all over the world is a big business. Many countries around the globe derive huge revenue from tourism and Anambra with its diverse tourism endowments,  should rightly be on the front role of tourism sector in Nigeria if  the sector is well developed, essential as government has provided the enabling environment for it to thrive.”

    Speaking further, he said, “We are grateful to the government of His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano, for the decisive manner it fought against criminality and insecurity in Anambra state in the past two years. Now with a secured Anambra, we will no longer be afraid to invite our brothers, sisters, friends and other tourism enthusiasts from within and outside the shores of Nigeria to come and have a feel of tourism in Anambra state,” adding that developing and harnessing the tourism potentials in Anambra will not only earn the state extra revenue but also stimulate economic activities in the regions that host the numerous tourism sites in the state.

    Okonkwo also disclosed that the anniversary celebration is at no cost to the state government as sponsorship cost is borne by private individuals and corporate bodies who are using the opportunity of the historical event to identify with Anambra state.

    Anambra, in the recent past was dreaded by visitors because of its notoriety for criminality. But Governor Obiano administration has taken on this ugly situation with an iron fist that Anambra has become one of the safest states in Nigeria today.

    Speaking on how he turned that ugly trend around, Governor Obiano stated: “I figured out that there could be no meaningful progress in this state without a successful attack against crime. I knew that no investor would go to a crime-ridden environment. So, we launched an all-out war against kidnappers, armed robbers, drug dealers and child-traffickers.

    “We smashed crime syndicates and pulled down the warehouses used for keeping kidnap victims. We donated smart cars to the police, gunboats to the navy and last Christmas, we launched police helicopters to watch over our skies.

    “And so, for the first time since the creation of this great state, we made sure that Anambra was effectively covered on the land, in the waters and in the sky! With that effort, we achieved 360 degrees security coverage of the state, “he noted.

    The result this efforts is the enabling environment for the development of the tourism sector that Okonkwo, alluded to.

    According to the published programmes of event, this tourism drive will be kick-started by a cultural beauty pageant and zonal cultural dance/masquerade competitions billed to take place in each of the three senatorial zones in the vicinity of the key tourism sites in each of the zones.

    Tourism sites such as Agulu Lake, famed for its sacred crocodiles and turtles, Ogbunike Cave, located in Oyi Local Government Area and Ogba Waterfalls in Owerre-Ezukala, will all play host to the zonal cultural fiestas. This strategy, according to the organizers, is to through this means, bring people to these sites in order to enable them to appreciate these gifts of nature that God has blessed Anambra with.

    Six selected communities from each of the zones would then take part in the grand finale and the state carnival to be led personally by the governor in the state capital Awka, in December 17, 2016.

    The cultural competition is designed to showcase the best of Anambra state cultural dances and indigenous masquerades.  The organisers also revealed that the carnival would become an annual state event like the popular Calabar Carnival, however, participants would be encouraged to wear customs that depict the culture and tradition of Anambra state, unlike in Calabar which parades Brazilian custom themes.

  • Rights group seeks proactive measures against child abuse

    Rights group seeks proactive measures against child abuse

    A group, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre (HRCRC) has called for strong measures to prevent child abuse and sexual violence.

    The organisation made the call at a two-day workshop it organised in Ebonyi, stressing that tougher action was required to prevent such assaults.

    Stakeholders at the event included community heads, youth and women leaders, the media and civil society organizations (CSOs).

    HRCR advised the state government to create awareness on its Child Rights Law enacted in 2010 with emphasis on sexual abuse and violence.

    The communique noted that communities in the state should develop Bye-laws on sexual abuse and violence against children in line with the existing laws of the state.

    It also state that communities in the state should constitute enforcement committees for the Bye-law on child abuse and violence to include village heads, youth and women leaders, religious leaders, vigilante groups and other law enforcement agencies.

    “In view of all the various submissions made above, participants suggested that the government of Ebonyi should authorise all relevant  health services to provide free services to sexual abuses and violence victims.

    “Government of the state should appoint more medical doctors and health officers to certify rape cases and victims as required by law for prosecution, especially at local government health facilities, since they are closer to grassroots.

    “The Ministry of justice through the directorate of public prosecution (DPP) should expedite action on cases of sexual abuses and violence against children.

    “Considering that the abuses against a child is a crime against the state, humanity and an abuse of right of a child, every person who conceals, aids or abets ,should be punished, “the communiqué stated.

    The document further said that the police should expedite action in the investigation and arraignment on cases of child sexual abuse and violence.

    It also called on the state government to make available and accessible the child rights law to relevant stakeholders and the public.

    It also called on the media to be responsible in its reports and advised the CSOs, to be proactive in their roles

  • Navy chief warns criminals in Abia

    The new commandant of the Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College, Owerrinta, Abia State, Captain Abdullahi Aminu has warned criminals to steer clear of the state or face the music.

    Aminu said that the navy in the state was prepared to tackle criminality with all seriousness, adding that the naval headquarters had empowered to bring felons to heel.

    Speaking at the naval college, Owerrinta during the third quarter of its quarterly route march and show of strength, Capt Aminu said that the exercise was aimed at ensuring that naval ratings and officers were fit at all times.

    Capt. Aminu said that during the exercise that officers and men of the naval college are expected to show the people how ready they are to tackle the menace of criminals within and around the state.

    He noted that part of their charge is to ensure the security of life and property of their host community and the state wherever they are based, stressing that since their advent at Owerrinta that there has been peace.

    He recalled that barely two days he assumed office as the new commandant, that his men rescued a four year old boy who was kidnapped at St Theresa’s Catholic Church Obosi in Anambra state.

    The naval boss said that the boy was kidnapped on Sunday at Obosi Anambra state and was rescued the next day in Abia state, “This tells you the preparedness of my officers and men in crime fighting and we are determined to do more”.

    Capt Aminu said that from what he has observed on the fitness of his men which shows low level of fitness, “I am going to introduce the route march to be a monthly thing, which will be done at the end of every month”.

    “The idea is to ensure that my men are fit at all times to face the security challenges that have been trying to overrun both the state and country, every military man should be fit and ready at all times in case of any crisis so as not to be caught unawares”.

    “What we are doing which is done every quarter is approved by the navy headquarters, as signals are sent before the date of the route march, as it is  enshrined in our rules”.

    “The exercise is also to let criminals operating within the state to stay clear or be consumed as we are prepared to ensure that our environment is secured at all times and I am sure that we have not been doing badly in that area”.

    He used the forum to give kudos to members of the host community for their effort in ensuring that they perform their security duties to the optimum level, stressing that they have been giving them useful information to work with.

  • Scholarship for 11 pupils

    Scholarship for 11 pupils

    IT is true that Nigeria is ranked among countries with the lowest literacy rates in Africa.

    Resource persons from the several education summits held in Nigeria since the nation’s independence in 1960 have blamed the phenomenon bad governance, poverty and other unfavourable conditions arising from inconsistent educational policies.

    But for Prince Lawrence Eze, the son of the traditional ruler of Mburubu in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, the war to fight illiteracy in the country and Enugu State in particular, should not be left for government alone.

    And to match his resolution with action, the prince, at a colourful ceremony, put smiles on 11 brilliant pupils of the Community Secondary School, Mburubu, Enugu State, with scholarship awards.

    The lucky pupils will enjoy a comprehensive scholarship scheme from JS1 to SSIII. Apart from taking care of all financial obligations, the scholarship captures the general upkeep of the students during the six year period of their study.

    Prince Eze said the scholarship to the eleven brilliant pupils was to serve as lifeline for them to become whatever they wanted to be in future, the poverty level of their parents notwithstanding.

    He believed  that with a secondary school education, the sky would be their limit, since according to him, education remains the greatest gift to any child.

    The philanthropist, who was in company of his wife, Princess Lina Onyekachi Eze, stated that when the award committee selected the students in collaboration with the school principal who provided information on their academic performance, he had no choice than to go ahead with the project, adding that his action became inevitable in view of the poverty level of their parents as well as to give the students hope.

    According to him “When I was in primary school, I had two brilliant school mates who unfortunately could not go further because their parents were poor, one of them ended up as a firewood seller in the village while the other managed a little shop and died last year, partly as a result of hardship. If anyone with resources had come with help at that time, such as scholarship, they could have been more useful to society by now”.

    He continued:”If you invest millions and billions of naira to train your children in the best schools, and forgets to touch on the lives of those around you, the children of your neighbours who are not richly endowed like you, could pose danger to society.”

    While calling on the wealthy to give succour to the downtrodden, Prince Lawrence Eze, promised to continue to embark on such humanitarian projects as his little contribution to give back to society part of his God’s blessings.

    The principal of the school Mr. Robert Okorie, commended Prince Lawrence Eze for his kind gesture, stressing that the scholarship award was historic, as that was the first time any student of the school had received scholarship from anyone since its inception.

    Okorie, explained that the scholarship would reduce the burden of their parents and urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their study and be of good behaviour to justify the confidence reposed in them.

    Mr. Elias Nwannaja, who spoke on behalf of the parents, expressed joy with the scholarship award and prayed God to bless Prince Eze and his wife with good health and more resources, as they continue to spray love to the needy. They said the scholarship was a great relief to them.

    The ceremony which attracted a large crowd from the community, featured cultural dances and drama presentations by the students.

     

     

  • Jobs tools for freed inmates in Ebonyi

    Jobs tools for freed inmates in Ebonyi

    Abakaliki Prisons was in the news last month for the wrong reasons when some of its inmates reportedly lost their lives in a foiled jailbreak. But the facility seems to have moved on from the ugly incident as five inmates were released following the completion of their two years jail sentence. They were not just released but also trained in some vocations and given tools to enable them launch their new trades.

    The Ebonyi State Command of Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) at a send forth of the five inmates inside the prison premises handed over to them the workings tools with which they can use to start new businesses in their chosen fields and become useful to themselves as they reunite with their families and the larger society.

    Handing over the tools to the freed inmates in the presence of their family members at the prison yard, the State Comptroller, Mrs Emilia Oputa disclosed that the Command trained them on the skills as part of its core mandate.

    Five of them, all married with children, Peter Nwankwo, Sunday Iboko, Sunday Ogodo, Moses Abarike and John Nwenyi were trained in carpentry, welding, electrical maintenance, tailoring and catering.

    The state comptroller explained that they were able to procure the tools through government funding and individual contributions.

    Mrs Emilia who urged them to pay deaf ears to what people might be saying about them when they get home, charged them to live a useful life and shun acts capable of bringing them back to prison.

    She noted that both the Federal and State governments had turned to agriculture to grow the economy and urged them to queue into it to be self-dependent.

    She further explained the Command had trained many of the inmates on different skills/hand works and solicited for the assistance of the public to enable them provide them with necessary tools, noting that government ‘would not do it alone.

    Five of them who are from Otam Nkaleke in Abakaliki local government Areas were jailed for conspiracy and attempted murder and had spent two years each in prison before freedom came their way.

    The freed inmates thanked the NPS and pledged to put the tools to the best use in order to be able to adequately fend for themselves and their families.

    One of their family members, Isaiah Moses, thanked God for keeping them alive all along and also the prisons officials who made their release possible.

  • Imo fights genital mutilation

    Imo fights genital mutilation

    Its enlightenment and educational accomplishments have not weaned Imo State off the age-old horrors of female genital mutilation or FGM. The state has the highest percentage of FGM in the country with 68 % prevalence. But there is someone fighting it with all the resources she can muster: Mrs  Nneoma Okorocha, wife of the state governor.

    Many young girls between the ages of one month to five, as well as married women have been forced to undergo this painful ritual with the attendant consequences, which include lifelong trauma, infection and sometimes death.

    This practice has been predominant in four Local Government Areas of Ohaji-Egbema, Ngor-Okpala, Ikeduru and Oguta.

    But respite has come. Mrs Okorocha in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA) has launched an intensive campaign against FGM and other practices that are inimical to the wellbeing of the girl-child.

    The governor’s wife who anchored the campaign under the auspices of her pet project, the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), noted that she keyed into the passion of the wife of the President, Aisha Muhamadu Buhari to end the barbaric practice that has resulted in the avoidable deaths of women and children, especially in the rural areas.

    The governor’s wife who decried the prevalence rate of the practice in Imo State, during launch of the anti-FGM/C campaign at the Imo International Convention Centre in Owerri, called for a collaborative efforts to end the scourge.

    She observed that the practice does not only violate the rights of the girl child but makes it difficult for her to live up to her responsibilities as a wife, as well as endangers her life.

    Mrs. Okorocha lamented that despite global condemnation of the practice, Imo State is still leading in the barbaric act, adding that the campaign will be taken to all the nooks and crannies of the state to create awareness on the dangers inherent in female circumcision.

    She hinted further that part of the measures she has adopted to eliminate the menace in the state, is to criminalize the practice through an Executive bill she has presented to the State House of Assembly.

    According to her, “Female Genital Mutilation is a form of violence against women which is perpetuated by unfounded myth and baseless traditions. It is a practice that is very rampant in our region and unfortunately Imo State was found to have one of the prevalence rate of 68 percent.

    “In Imo State, intervention by UNFPA through the Ministry of Health, Women Affairs and Social Development has focused on four Local Government Areas of Ikeduru, Ohaji/Egbema, Ngor-Okpala and Oguta.

    “In spite of this intervention, it is noted that this practice is undertaken in our communities throughout the state and has been continuing unabated, parents especially mothers have been secretly indulging in the act, leaving the victims in perpetual agony and regrets.

    “This can no longer be allowed to go on. It has therefore become imperative to end this harmful traditional practice”.

    The State Attorney General, Barrister Miletus Nlemedum, while commending the governor’s wife for the initiative, assured that the judiciary will take the matter seriously.

    He promised to assist make the war against FGM a success in the state.

    Similarly, the State Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers,Eze Sam Ohiri represented at the occasion by Eze G.N Ejiogu, assured of the support of traditional institution in eradicating the practice in the State.

    He said, “henceforth, we are going to keep watch on the women to find out those who are still engaged in the practice. it may not be an easy task but we are going to do everything possible to check the practice in our domain. it is not part of our culture and we will no longer allow it”

    Giving bite to the campaign, the state governor Rochas Okorocha, warned women who still engage in the practice to desist from doing so or risk imprisonment.

    The Imo governor disclosed that as soon as the bill against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is passed into law by the State House of Assembly,the punishment for offenders will be several years of imprisonment as will be specified by the establishing law.

    He described the practice as barbaric and unacceptable.

    According to him, “barbaric cultures which are not beneficial to the people should be abolished”.

    He urged the State Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the bill into law, to enable a permanent solution to the problem.

    In her speech, the country representative of UNFPA, Mrs Beatrice Mukta, commended the wife of the Governor for her relentless fight against FGM.

    She noted that the battle against the practice will not be an easy one and therefore appealed to traditional institutions as well as women in the state to support the move by the Governor’s wife.

    Meanwhile at the launch of the campaign, which was preceded by a road-walk, the participants were moved to tears as they watched the emotional clips of the horrible practice.

  • Army shows its caring side

    Army shows its caring side

    Combat was not in the picture, only care, as 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu treats thousands in a medical outreach, reports JANE UBAH

     

    The impression is likely to last for a long time, and not just for thousands of patients who benefitted from the medical outreach but also for everyone else in the community and beyond.

    Why? Soldiers are groomed for combat and to take out the enemy. Even in peacetime many civilians have bruises and bitter memories to show for falling out with soldiers.

    But when soldiers turned up at Ogbaku community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, the scenario was pleasantly different. They came with stethoscopes, blood pressure meters and assorted medicaments. At the end of the day, they treated over 5000 ailing indigenes and residents.

    It was like a new dawn in civilian-military relations.

    And, indeed, that was what the free medical outreach provided by 82 Division of the Nigerian Army was about.

    It was a suitable platform to check and treat persons living such lifestyle diseases as high blood pressure, diabetes, eye defects and several others.

    The exercise was conducted to precede the Career Development Exercise for Warrant Officers scheduled to hold at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in the community.

    The Vice Chairman, Awgu Local Government Area Hon John Ikemefuna hailed the army for the health initiative, noting that it will go a long way in deepening the cordial relationship between the people of Awgu council and the Army.

    He further called on the people of Awgu to take advantage of the good gesture from the Nigerian Army.

    Similarly, the traditional ruler of Mmaku Community, HRH Igwe Rotarian Okongwu, Nkpuma-Ike I of Mmaku expressed his deep gratitude to the GOC for remembering his community and the lovely indigenes of Awgu with this all important free medical service.     The high point of the exercise was the arrival of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru at the venue of the free medical outreach in Awgu.

    He inspected various units of the exercise and as well made a symbolic presentation of a pair of medicated eyeglasses to Mrs Udenta Roseline, one of the numerous beneficiaries.

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Abia poly council N2b overdraft not mismanaged’

    The immediate past chairman of the governing council of Abia State Polytechnic Aba, Prince Christopher Enweremadu has said that the current chairman of the council did not get his facts right about the contentious N2 billion bank overdraft. Enweremadu, a former speaker of the state House of Assembly, said the new chairman’s allegation that the fund was mismanaged was not backed by facts and figures.

    Enweremadu said, “If the chairman had gone through the history of the polytechnic, he would have appreciated that when we came on board, the institution owed N1.1 billion to several banks and also seven months’ salary arrears to staff. After a careful review, my council agreed that the sum of N2 billion be taken as overdraft with an interest of N25 million and by this time no bank was willing to lend any money to the institution, which made us to go for a term loan’ with a lesser interest rate”.

    “When the N2 billion term loan came we had reduced the bank loan to N900 million and part of the agreement with First Bank was to buy over the loan which they did and tellers were issued to Abia Poly and by the time they took their bank charges, we had N1 billion left”.

    “Out of this amount, we had a running battle with the then rector on what to do with the remaining N1 billion, the then council insisted that the amount should be used to repay the loan through building hostels that would yield money, the management insisted on using it to pay salary arrears.”

    “The staff salary by them was N134 million monthly and from the N1 billion that was left, about six months’ salary was paid off, so the chairman saying that contracts were wrongfully awarded smirks of mischief”.

    “Only about N35 million was paid to a contractor, as most of the said contracts were awarded without any money to back them up, so the current chairman talking about mismanagement of funds when we left N210 million which he has not accounted for till date”.

    “It should be noted that since the N2 billion was gotten without the account being serviced, interest was being taken from the principal sum, so this is a case of kettle calling pot black, but this man took the sum of N26 million of the school fund to refurnish an office that

    has no problem”.

    “Here is a man who increased his sitting allowance from N64,000-N260,000 and goes there three times in a week to enable him claim the money from an institution with lean resources, if this not fraud and mismanagement, I wonder what it is”.

    “I want to advise him to address issues before the institution and stop chasing shadows”.

    “I want to appeal to Abia state government to take a critical look at the accounts books of the Polytechnic to know exactly what happened to the said N2 billion, as no bank gives loans to institutions to pay staff salary”.

    “By the time I left as the chairman of the governing council of the Abia Poly, we were able to reduce the backlog of salary arrears down to four months, but now the salary arrears have gone up to seven months which is the reason the staff are on strike.”

  • Community celebrates new yam, 42 years after

    Community celebrates new yam, 42 years after

    Such is the honour acccorded yam that the igbo dedicate a befitting feast to it before boiling or roasting it.

    Yet, for over 42 years, Umuobiala in Isiukwuato Local Government Area of Abia State could not hold their most revered festival.

    Why?

    The leadership of the community felt it was a little too stretched, if not festish, to give a crop such attention.

    In any event, a new leadership is in power, and the community’s beloved yam feast has resumed in earnest.

    The celebration had all the trtrappings of a grand feast. Consider the attendance of the community’s illustrious sons and daughters and those of other communities in Isiukwuato and Umunneochi Federal Constituency including Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha, member representing Isiukwuato/Umunneochi Federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Chukwudi Ogele (member representing Isiukwuato State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly), Ray Nkemdirim (mfr) (former Director State Security Services), the Transition Committee Chairman of Isiukwuato, Navy Capt. Chris Osondu (rtd.), traditional rulers; HRH Eze Okechi Ihemeje (Ugo II of Obiala Ugo), Chief Jackson Ogbonna (Traditional Prime Minister Obiloha Autonomous Community), HRH Eze Joe Onyezebe (Obaangwu II of Amaise), and Chief Innocent A. Ikwuakor, among other distinguished personalities.

    Spectators, old and young, sporting their best traditional attires at the packed Umuobiala Civic Centre  where they struggled for space while trying to catch a glimpse of every highlight of the ceremony, including performances from the Une Cultural Dancing Troupe and the Okonko masquerade.

    The organisers said the feast meant a lot to the agrarian community which houses the Ulonna Farm Settlement where yam, cassava, rice and other staple crops are cultivated in commercial quantity.

    They said it was also significant at a time when the federal and state governments are championing the course of diversifying the economy through agriculture.

    In his address, the President General, Umuobiala Development Union (UDU), Uche Gabaolu urged indigenes of the community, especially the youths to embrace farming as the community has vast land where they can plant whatever agricultural crop that they would want to plant, adding that by doing so there will be abundance of food in the land and also help to promote tourism and rich cultural heritage of the community and the state at large.

    “Our country today is harping on diversifying the nation’s economy and making culture and tourism sectors strong economic drivers. This event today fulfils part of that dream. Hunger and poverty are a serious threat to communities and nations globally. If Umuobiala community can donate 33% of her farm land to Ulonna North farm settlement, it suggests that our land is arable and we can tap on this advantage, as agriculture is still the backbone of our economy, playing important role in stabilizing the macro-economy”.

    Gabaolu said he was worried that farmers were yet to imbibe the use of modern technology. He called on the state government to assist farmers in switching over to modern technology methods in yam production and maintain rural roads to enable farmers move their produce to the urban areas, even as he urged government at state and federal level to check the excesses of the Fulani herdsmen in the state and country at large.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Flood overruns Anambra again

    Flood overruns Anambra again

    Five communities have been submerged as flood sweeps through Anambra State, hinting of the 2012 disaster, reports  NWANOSIKE ONU

    The flood disaster that ravaged about 17 communities in Anambra State in eight local government areas in 2012 has reared its ugly head again in the state. This time, five communities in Anambra East and West local government areas have been submerged. The affected communities include Eziagulu Otu Aguleri through other coastal areas of Mmiata Anam, Umuoba Abegbu Anam, Iyiora Anam and Umueze Anam.

    Before now, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had predicted that some areas would suffer the same fate of 2012 during this year’s rainy season, warning that residents should take precaution.

    The State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA) in the state had told The Southeast Report that there was no cause for alarm.

    The director of the agency, Chukwudi Onyejekwe said they had started sensitisation for a long time in the communities, adding that the state was 100 percent ready for the disaster.

    He told The Southeast Report that about 22 speed boats, mattresses, buckets and other items had been provided in readiness for the floods.

    Furthermore, Onyejekwe said all the eight centres used as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state which had been overgrown with weeds, had been cleared by the state government.

    He said, “Our agency is not sleeping, we are on top of our game with the heavy assistance from Anambra State government led by Chief Willie Obiano. For now I can tell you that SEMA is ready.”

    The Nigeria Red Cross Society, Anambra State chapter, on its part, had engaged in advocacy visits, seminars and sensitisation of the rural communities in some local government areas that were mentioned by (NIMET).

    The vice chairman of Red Cross in the state, Prof Peter Emeka Katchy, during one of such seminars in Awka on Tuesday, told The Southeast Report that already 14,000 volunteers of the agency had been deployed to the communities.

    He said the evacuation of the IDPs had already begun in those communities, to their different places created by the state for them in the eight local government areas.

    When the Red Cross visited some of the communities, the residents were already trapped, though it had not reached to the level of 2012.

    According to Katchy, “we have visited the areas to sensitize them the more, we are following the development, some houses and farms had already been submerged in some of the areas”

    “We are moving to evacuate the people to IDP camps immediately, before it reached alarming proportion; the people have been informed on where to go in all the designated camps in the state”

    “We are going to move in this week, but if there is any emergency now, we will move in immediately, Red Cross excel in crisis and that is why we thrive in emergency situations.

    “It is not easy for people to leave their abode and that is why, we are into this advocacy now, Anambra is ready to tackle flood problems in this state because everything is ready. All the camps have been fumigated, water provided, the camps cleared,” Katchy said, adding that every sensible government should support Red Cross to excel in their duty in crisis management.

    Some of the buildings and farmlands had been submerged with the residents lamenting.

    A woman whose farmland had been submerged by the flood, Mrs. Esther Nnoli, told The South East Report that what they suffered in 2012 had come upon them again.

    She said that it had not reached to the level of that of 2012, adding that if the situation became worse, that they would leave their homes in Ayamelum for the camps.

    Last week, the president general of the Association of Anambra State Town Unions (ASATU), Dr. JAP Okolo, had raised the alarm that national emergency management agency (NEMA) and (SEMA) to assist in clearing the water ways of Riverine areas in the communities.

    He said the water hyacinth covered a stretch of some 40 kilometers on the Ezichi, Oda river waterways from Eziagulu Otu through other coastal communities.

    Okolo, complained that the people could not come out because of the inability of boats to move on the weeds which he said had taken over waterways.