Anambra State Chapter of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria has urged Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to establish permanent holding centers across flood-affected communities in the state.
The State Executive Secretary of Red Cross, Engr. Kingsley Chinoso Okoye, who made the call while briefing Journalists at his office in Amawbia on Monday, in preparation ahead of the predicted flood in the state, said the proposed permanent holding centers, if established will save cost of governance.
According to him, the idea of using churches and school premises for camp purposes should be abolished, noting that it encourages corruption in the system.
“The use of churches and school premises in those flood-affected communities should be band because, at the end of the menace, the places are always left messed up destructively by the users, costing the government of the day to spend a huge amount of money putting them back in good shape.
“There is always a serious mess up in every flooding year across premises of churches and schools in all the affected communities, in which some unknown persons from the area or the government circle with used the challenges as an opportunity to engage in a negative attitude.
“I think it’s good for Governor Soludo to establish the centers permanently with all the necessary building facilities to help safeguard the relief materials meant for the flood-affected victims. Most of the materials donated by the government and other concerned organisations are always taken away unnoticed at the end of the camping due to the porosity of the area.
“If the holding centers are well structured with model toiletries, conference halls, canteens, and lodging rooms, the government, churches, organisations, and individuals can hold their function and programmes there, in turn creating job opportunities as well as generating revenue to the state government.
Engr Okoye used the media briefing to commend the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), for donating relief materials worth millions to 600 households affected by the 2022 flood in the state.
He also called on residents of riverine areas of the State, particularly, in Ogbaru LGA, Awka North LGA, and Anambra East/West Council Areas respectively to immediately move to designated high grounds to avoid being caught up with the coming flood.
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