Fielding questions from newsmen, the Vice President described flooding as an ecological challenge which, in most cases, cannot be prevented.
Paul Osuyi, Asaba and Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has visited Delta and Anambra, where he assured of the Federal Government’s intervention in the flooding crises in the states.
READ ALSO: NEMA declares Anambra, Delta, Kogi, Niger floods national disaster
Osinbajo also disclosed that the federal government is impressed with the facilities provided by the Delta State Government, at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp for flood victims at Ogbe-Afor Primary School, Asaba.
Addressing the over 700 flood victims, whose houses have been submerged in communities along the shores of the River Niger, yesterday, Osinbajo said he was “very touched seeing all of you who have been evacuated from your homes to this temporary place. It is very disruptive.
“And, I commend the state government for moving swiftly to provide this place. The facilities here are adequate. The clinic and the bed spaces are adequate.”
According to Prof. Osinbajo, 12 states are currently affected by flood, and that four of the states.
The Vice President who had earlier undertaken an aerial inspection of some of the impacted communities in Asaba in company with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, admitted that what was more difficult was the post flood management period which including resettling the victims.
He said the Federal Government will be working with the state government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that victims whose farmlands and other properties are submerged are paid adequate compensation to cushion the impact of the devastation.
“The Federal Government will be working with the state government to resettle the victims and ensure that people resume normal life as soon as the flood recedes. We stand with you to make sure that we are able to bring comfort to the victims,” Osinbajo assured.
READ ALSO: Edo govt directs flood victims to relocate to IDPs camp
Fielding questions from newsmen on how to prevent the re-occurrence of flooding in the future, the Vice President described flooding as an ecological challenge which, in most cases, cannot be prevented.
Meanwhile, Osinbajo was also in Anambra state where he pledged the federal government’s continued support in supplying food and relief materials to the victims of flood disaster in the state. Osinbajo who was accompanied by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja, was in the state to assess the level of devastation caused by the ravaging flood across the riverine communities.
He was received on arrival by Governor Willie Obiano and Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, visited some of the flooding areas including Umueze Anam, Anambra West local government.
“I flew over those disaster areas and I witnessed the rise especially in Onitsha, Ogbaru, Awka North, Coscharis farm and other places. We have directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to continue deploying relief materials to various IDP camps and some home settlements that have refused to evacuate from their homes,” Osinbajo said.
He lauded Obiano’s prompt response to the situation and pledged that government will partner the state government to ensure proper management of the resources.