Flood: Anambra ready to distribute relief materials, sets up committee

By Our correspondent

Anambra State Government has set up a committee for the distribution of relief materials to the 2022 flood victims in the state.

The committee is to be headed by the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Chief Paul Odenigbo while the Executive Director SEMA, Mr. CY Agupugo will serve as the secretary.

Other members of the committee are the Special Adviser (SA) to the governor on Political Matters, Mr. Alex Obiogbolu, the Commissioner for Local Government and Town Union Matters, Mr. Collins Nwabunwanne and the Transition Committee Chairmen (TCC) of the eight affected Local Government Areas (LGA).

The LGAs are Anambra West, Anambra East, Ayamelum, Awka North, Ogbaru, Ekwusigo, Ihiala and Idemili South.

Inauguration of the committee was held in a meeting held at the SEMA office, Awka.

Chief Odenigbo during the meeting commended the State Government for setting up the committee which according to him was as stipulated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

He said, “the state government is complying with the directives of the Federal Government assisted NEMA which has directed that the relief materials are meant to be distributed to 2022 flood victims in the state.

The ES urged the TCCs to ensure that the items were equitably distributed to the designated people as the state governor has instructed that the items must reach the affected victims in good time.

The SA on political matters to the governor, Mr. Alex Obiogbolu commended the meeting saying that it was wonderful and straight to the point as issues discussed bothered on the distribution mode, time frame, how to get them directly to the beneficiaries and the materials.

He added that people need to be accountable for the items and even the process of the distribution.

“The TC Chairmen are eager and confident to work; you know confidence arises from performance per excellent because your past experiences in the distribution of relief items will count in this exercise.’’

He commended the TCC and assured that the task would not be a difficult for them, “part of the problem is making sure that only the people who were affected are the beneficiaries.

“You should also make sure that it is not just one person distributing, there should be a team work and let there be transparency in the exercise’’.

“See to it that the stake holders in your localities are carried along though I am not in anyway in doubt of your ability in making sure that the distribution is successful’’.

Thanking NEMA and SEMA for their kind consideration towards their respective LGAs the Transition Committee Chairman, Anambra East LGA, Dr. Anselm Onuora said that the items will go through the Ward Emergency Management Committee down the individuals.

He promised that they will ensure that the items are shared equitably to the beneficiaries.

He pleaded that more items should be allocated to the LGAs based on the level of the damage and those affected by the flood.