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Delta State Government, Wednesday, called on residents in low-land and flood-prone areas to relocate to higher planes in view of the impending flood, following the release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam into the Rivers Niger and Benue.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, gave the warning in a statement in Asaba, saying the State Government was concerned about the lives and property of citizens living in flood-prone areas in the face of earlier warnings from the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA.

According to Ahon, the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has approved the setting up of a 14-man Flood Disaster Management Committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, to mitigate the challenges expected by the impending flood.

He said the Committee is saddled with the responsibility of carrying out aggressive sensitization of citizens on the impending flood and to propose appropriate measures for the prevention and management of flooding, addressing the displacement of people and to suggest ways for the provision of relieve materials to victims.

He said: “The Delta State Government has been informed that the authorities of Lagdo Dam in Cameroon would be releasing modulated amounts of water into the River Benue and River Niger due to flooding caused by torrential rainfall.

“The Delta State Government will provide support to those displaced from their homes by the rising water level occasioned by the overflow of the River Benue and River Niger.

“Already His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has approved the setting up of Flood Disaster Management Committee to ensure that persons displaced from their homes as a result of the impending flood are adequately catered for at various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps nearest to them.

“We are therefore calling on affected citizens to call the following numbers- 08064137841 and 08037200696 -for government intervention in the case of flooding,” Ahon stated

Meanwhile, Delta State Government has constituted a 14-man 2023 Flood Disaster Management Committee.

Inaugurating the Committee on Tuesday in Asaba, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, charged members to ensure sensitization of citizens of the state, especially those living in coastal communities to move to higher grounds.

Members of the 2023 flood disaster management Committee include; Dr. Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) as Chairman, Hon. Ejiro Terry, Commissioner for Special Duties as Co- Chairman, Mr Jamani Ejiro, Commissioner for Environment, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, Commissioner for Health, Dr Kingsley Ashibuogwu, Commissioner for Primary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu, Commissioner for Secondary Education, and Orode Uduaghan, Commissioner Humanitarian Affairs, Social and Girl Child Developement.

Other members include Barr. Funyei Manager, Commissioner, Special Projects, Hon. Victor Ebonka, Chairman, ALGON, Chief Jaro Egbo, Special Adviser, Transport, Barr. Lyna Ocholor, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Karo Ovemeso, Executive Secretary SEMA, Sir. Festus Ahon, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Mr. Greg Ejowomu, Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Special Duties.

Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the committee, the Secretary to State Government (SSG) Dr. Kingsley Emu charged the members to be diligent with the assignment as a lot depended on them to see that the actual flood victims are adequately catered for.

The SSG also stated that jingles to sensitize the public is being aired in various media houses which has been going on for the past two weeks, with a view to enlightening the public on the need to take precaution by moving out from flood prone areas to avoid being caught-up by the impending flood.

The SSG also noted that plans were on the way to set up camps in the flood impacted areas of the state to accommodate those who may be affected by the impending flood.

He gave the terms of reference of the committee to include; To propose appropriate measures for the prevention and management of flooding, address displacement of people and suggest ways for provision of relieve materials to victims.

According to the SSG, members of the public are advised to call the following numbers when they become distressed from the flood affecting their communities for government intervention.

The numbers are 08064137841 and 08037200696.