With the worrisome rise in sea level and the latest information about Cameroun opening its dams due to overflow, the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has called for an emergency meeting to foster ways to handle the impending disaster.

The meeting which was held at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, had in attendance, Heads of Agencies with the responsibility of participating in flood disasters, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Chief Paul Odenigbo.

Others are Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Primus Odili, members of the State Security Council and Heads of Agencies involved in emergency response activities, among others.

Addressing the meeting, Governor Obiano noted that with the rising flood level in some parts of the State, and the latest information about Cameroun opening its dams, the meeting has become imperative to reappraise the initial strategies developed by the State Government to check flooding.

He reiterated the state government’s readiness to tackle flood disaster ahead, adding that the state had commenced preparations for the event about five months ago.

Obianio explained that Holding Centers have been established across the affected Council areas, and equipped with facilities to cater for displaced persons.

While appealing to residents of the affected areas to heed the warnings by relevant agencies to vacate the flood-prone areas as soon as possible, the Governor gave assurance that his government is committed to their welfare.

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Nkem Okeke said that all the agencies with responsibility during flooding have been designated to their various tasks, but still await mobilization and deployment.

The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo, said that the nine holding centres in Anambra East local government area are currently being furnished with necessary materials, with the exception of Ogbaru which has been completed.

He noted that the water level has risen to 11.80 as against that of 2012 which was at 12.84 at its worst.

Odenigbo noted that the signs are real, and devastating flood disaster is ahead.

On his part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, said the Ministry has mapped out ways to establish sick bays at the holding centres with doctors already designated to handle health emergencies that may arise from the imminent Holocaust.

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