The immediate past governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has expressed sympathy with his successor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo over the boat mishap caused by flooding, which left many persons dead in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
In the condolence message made avaliable to journalists in Awka, on Monday, by his media aide, Tony Nezianya, Obiano said the incident worsened the flooding situation following the huge number of persons that has been displaced with homelands and farmlands washing off.
He noted that apart from the Cameroonian Dam that releases excess water from its facility, other Nigerian dams like Kainji also released their water, therefore worsening the flooding coming from the persistent rainfall in the state.
He said, “I sympathise with the government and families of the victims of the accident.
“This incident has added to the ugly situation following the huge deadly flooding that has displaced people from their homelands, washing away houses and farmlands.
“The flooding has also wreaked havoc in Anambra East and West, Ayamelum as well as Ogbaru areas of the state.
“I have been informed that many have died as a result of displacements by the raging floodwaters, as well as farmlands, that have been washed away.
“I urge the government to take steps to tackle the emergency head-on.
“I call on the Federal Government to offer leadership at this point to mitigate the disaster by ensuring the speedy release of ecological funds in supporting the state in tackling the emergency.
“Diligent intervention by all stakeholders will no doubt reduce the burden imposed by this disaster, while deliberate efforts must begin in the implementation of a permanent solution to the disaster.
“It is climate change that has now combined to worsen this yearly disaster.
“I share the grief of victims of the emergency, who should endeavour to follow the government’s wise counsel to evacuate to safety until the floodwaters recede.
“May we remember in our prayers all those that have so far died as a result of the flooding raving our state over the past couple of weeks.”
Credit: Punch