Abia has recorded 21 deaths from flooding, says SEMA

Sunday Jackson, executive secretary of the Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), says 21 persons have died as a result of flooding in the state. 

Jackson said this on Friday in Umuahia, the Abia capital, during the distribution of relief materials to flood victims by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

TheCable had reported that over 600 persons have been killed by flooding across Nigerian communities.

The federal government had also said the flood has impacted 154 locations and transport infrastructure worth N80 billion.

Speaking on Friday, Jackson said Abia state recorded flooding in 16 of the 17 LGAs, adding that it also affected farmlands and means of livelihood.

“We believe that this assistance by the federal government will go a long way to cushion the effects of the disaster,” Jackson said.

Mustapha Ahmed, director-general of NEMA, commiserated with the state.

Ahmed, who was represented by Ifeanyi Nnaji, head of NEMA, Owerri operations office, said the relief items were meant to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims.

The NEMA boss also said the 2022 ‘Annual Flood Outlook’ forecasted that 233 LGAs in 32 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) were within highly-probable flood-risk areas.

He also said 212 LGAs in 35 states of the federation were susceptible to flood risks.

“Already, the agency is inundated with reports of flooding from 36 states and the FCT and still counting, causing loss of lives, livelihood, property and infrastructure,” Nnaji said.

Okey Ihedioha, the state’s permanent secretary, bureau of special services, who received the items, thanked the federal government for its intervention.

He said the items would be equitably distributed to the victims.

The relief items included rice, beans, maize, iodized salt, kegs of 20-litre vegetable oil, cartons of seasoning cubes, and tinned tomatoes.

Also, there were nylon mats, mosquito nets, yards of Guinea brocade, children’s wear, as well as outfits for adults.