NDOKWA EAST FLOOD UPDATE: LG Sets Up 5- Man Committee To Evaluate Disaster

Following the ongoing flood ravaging the Ndokwa East communities, a 5- man committee has be created by the executives of  Local Government Area to evaluate,  assess, document  and also engage government at all levels on the pre and post causes of the natural disaster.

The committee is expected to liaise with the ten men Elders Advisory Council earlier set up in 2018 under the LGA to evaluate the flood situation and chart a way forward.

According to a statement e-Signed by the chairman, Juan Amechee Governor,Ndokwa East LGA on Saturday, a copy made available to DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA, the members are drawn from nine wards of the constituencies under the council, assuring that meeting will be held every week to appraise the situation during and post flood period until the council is back to normalcy.

This include: Team One (Ward 1, 2 and 3): Austin Azubike Ugbomah, ii. Team Two (Ward 4, 5 and 6): Hon. Okwuwa Ezechi, iii.Team Three (Ward 7, 8 and Nine):  Hon. Felix Edemenya , and  iv. Elders Advisory Council Secretary: Albert Iyiacha , while Chika Ossai will serve as   Secretary to the committee .

According to the statement: ” On the basis of the above, the Council chairman in conjunction with well-meaning and concerned NELGA Leaders (Chief Ugo Nwokolo, Barr. Sam Chukwuji, Hon. Chika Ossai, Prince Kris Oputa and Chief London Onwuka) met with the Ndokwa East LGA Elders Advisory Council to evaluate the flood situation and chart a way forward.

“It is no longer news that all the communities in NELGA have be submerged by the floods. Aboh and Ashaka as well as Ibrede in constituency one that had always been considered upland has yielded to the forceful flow of water and has been taken over by mass water thereby displacing even those who in the past had been spared by even the almighty 2012 floods. It is now on record that NELGA has never had it this bad.

“For the benefit of those who may not know much about the NELGA Elders Advisory Council, The Council Chairman had inaugurated the ten man members since 2018 ably chaired by Chief Emmanuel Onyeukwu from ward One; with the following elders from the ten INEC wards as members which includes Chief Anthony Obodoeshike from ward Two, Chief Sunday Udeme from ward three, Chief David Nwabueze from ward Four, Price Mike Oputa from ward Five, Dr. Tabs Tabowei from ward Six, Chief Ifeanyi Oputa from ward Seven, His Eminence Augustine Ogwuafor from ward Eight, Chief Sylvester Itive from ward Nine and Prof. Albert Osakwe from ward Ten with Chief Albert Iyiacha as secretary.

“Key highlight of the meeting had to do with how NELGA is treated during natural disaster like the annual flood to which the LGA is exposed over time. The Chairman briefed everyone present on the current situation and the efforts the council has made under the circumstances.

“It was observed that NELGA is only a cash cow (with her rich mineral resources and food basket potential) with little or nothing to show as dividends of democracy except the sit at home appointees that were given to several individuals in the LGA with no significant impact on the general people of NELGA.

” In time of floods, the LGA is given no meaningful attention whereas it is on record that huge sum of money is often spent on flood management both at State and Federal levels.

“Everyone present in the meeting expressed their deepest sympathy to those who have been affected by the floods and concluded that things has to change for good as the following resolution was reached:

“Ndokwa East LGA will no longer be deceived by late attention, especially when everything has gotten to the worst stage.

Governor affirmed that every succour aimed at addressing the suffering of the LGA as a result of the flood, be it in form of palliatives and other efforts must be channeled through the Council Chairman for effective management and optimal distribution across the LGA.

 

According to him, ”  NELGA will not tolerate people politicking with the people, especially in a situation politicians will use the name of NELGA to boost their ego on social media by claiming they are doing things to flood victims whereas the Council is not aware and cannot account for nor confirm that it was done.

While expecting support from  higher authorities, he stated that “Every item in form of palliatives due for NELGA from State, Federal, Government Agencies, NGOs, Companies, Individuals or group of individuals must be channeled through the Council for proper documentation and accountability.

“NELGA people will henceforth reframe from being treated as beggars, less privileged or taken advantaged of because of natural disaster. Therefore any help must be documented by the council, managed by the set up flood committee and supervised by the Elders Advisory Council in each of the ward to enhance proper distribution, transparency and accountability with proper publication without prejudice to anonymous donors.

He further assured people of the affected communities under his borough that disaster would soon come to an end adding that “This too like every other phase shall pass away and with God on our side, we will celebrate post the flood season with thanksgiving to God Almighty.”

Continuing, the chairman stressed that: The NELGA flood committee will meet later today, Saturday the 8th of October 2022 to collate the reports from the visits they made to the various communities in the LGA to enable us know the flood impact, current situation, risk exposures, need assessment and to develop action plans to be implemented across the LGA.

“Everyone in the LGA are to consistently  adhere to all water travel safety measures; Avoid overloading; ensure you use life jacket during travel period; Avoid low spots, like ditches, basements, or underpasses; Do not walk through flooded areas; If you have to walk in water, wherever possible, walk where the water is not moving; Do not drive into flooded areas; Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water; Know the weather; Let your people know about any trip you are embarking on, before your journey, during the trip and post arrival. Put Safety First, After God in all you do now and going forward.”