Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday said that the Federal Government will deploy more relief materials to flood victims in Umueze Anam, Anambra-West Local Government Area of Anambra State, to help meet their needs.

Recall that Anambra, Delta, Edo, Kogi, Niger, Benue, Adamawa and Bayelsa states have been affected by heavy flooding in the last few weeks due to heavy downpour.

The Vice President who visited the area, in the company of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; among others, said he flew over the disaster areas and saw first-hand, the rising flood, especially in Awka North, Onitsha, Ogbaru, and Coscharis farms.

He said that the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has been directed to continue in their distribution of relief materials to various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and some settlements whose residents were adamant in evacuating their homes.

According to him, the federal government had earlier released some materials for the displaced persons, adding that his visit was to have an on-the-spot assessment of the real situation on ground.

Osinbajo, who commiserated the families that lost property and means of livelihood to the flood, called on people that are still hibernating in the flood-prone areas to relocate to high grounds, to avoid unwarranted accidents.

The Vice President hailed the State Government for its swift response to flood challenges, stressing that it had helped to control the situation.

In his remarks, Gov. Willie Obiano said his government had heeded early warnings by meteorologists and taken proactive steps to contain the impending flood.

He said that the measures include establishment and equipment of 29 Holding Centers across the flood-prone areas, activation of relevant emergency response activities among others.

The governor stressed that the state government has kicked off with the collation of data on the displaced families, adding that with the support from the federal government, it will provide them succour to enable them resettle after the deluge.

On his part, the traditional ruler of Aguleri, Igwe Christopher Idigo, urged government to partner with hydrologists so as to get lasting solutions to the flood problems by creating dams that would absorb water from River Niger and River Benue.

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