With the incident of flooding not abetting across the country, following heavy rainfall, farmers in Anambra State have resorted to panicky harvesting of their crops to avert the crops been damaged by flood.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, ASEMA, Paul Odenigbo.
According to Odenigbo, some farmers in the State have embarked on premature harvesting of crops to beat impending flood disaster.
The Executive Secretary stated this during an interactive session with journalists in Awka, the Anambra State Capital on Tuesday.
Giving an update on the flood situation in the State, Odenigbo said many community farmlands had already been submerged. This is following increased water level in the State.
He said, “The water level has been on the increase. And it is expected to rise more, following activities from some neighbouring countries.
“These translate to more flood waters in Nigeria through the river channels.
“Some farmers have started harvesting their crops prematurely. And we are calling on those living in the riverine areas to relocate to higher grounds. This is in event that they notice emergency increase in the water level.
“The State Government has concluded arrangements through the Flood Response Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor. The Committee is to ensure that those that will be displaced are taken care of during their stay in camps.
“The agency has also commenced cleaning and fumigation of the holding camps across the State. This is to make them habitable for the people that will be displaced by flood, which may likely increase in the coming weeks.”
The Executive Secretary also commended the support and efforts of the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.
He, however, noted that more work needed to be done on the inspection and evaluation of the extent of damage. This, he said, is to ensure the impact of the incident was properly valued by the end of the flood.
Odenigbo, therefore, urged the Federal Government to dredge the rivers or construct dams as a permanent solution to the annual flooding in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the Anambra State Government has designated IDP camps in some locations in the State. These are Ayamelum, Anambra East, Ogbaru, Onitsha South, Onitsha North, Awka North, Ihiala and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas.
source: NAN
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