NEMA urges two Imo councils to relocate

AS Nigerians await the impending floods in some states from the expected release of water from a Camerounian dam, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised residents of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta local councils of Imo State temporarily immediately.

The NEMA Head of Operations, Imo and Abia states, Dr. Innocent Ezeaku, said the relocation is to avoid a recurrence of the 2012 scenario, where properties worth several millions of naira were lost to the flood in a similar circumstance.

Addressing journalists in Owerri, Ezeaku warned that that the dam, if released, could affect the areas on the shores of the River Niger through Urashi and Imo River.

According to him, “the high risk areas – the riverine areas of Urashi River, Oguta Lake and Njaba River will receive water from the River Niger. It will likely overflow its bank and affect people living in the area. We advise that they relocate temporarily until the water level goes down.”

Meanwhile, Ezeaku said the agency has opened 12 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state to accommodate those likely to suffer such natural disasters. He advised people to adhere to the warnings that could prevent avoidable hardships.

However, some dwellers have objected to relocating from their ancestral homes, urging the state and Federal Governments to rather work out how to forestall the flooding.