Nkechinyere Ewa
The Ebonyi State Government has activated emergency response measures following flooding in Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area, and other parts of the state, which displaced households and destroyed farmlands, crops, property and other sources of livelihood.
The government, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Ikeuwa Omebeh, expressed sympathy to residents affected by the flooding and acknowledged the hardship caused by the disaster.
Omebeh said Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru had directed the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (ESEMA) to intensify assessments of affected communities and coordinate appropriate emergency measures, including relief and rehabilitation.
He added that the state government was engaging the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant federal emergency-management institutions for complementary intervention and support to affected communities.
According to him, the government’s response would be guided by verified assessments of the needs of affected residents, with priority given to addressing immediate humanitarian concerns and restoring livelihoods.
The commissioner urged residents in affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with emergency officials carrying out assessments and coordinating relief operations.
He also advised residents against returning prematurely to flood-prone areas or occupying structurally compromised buildings until they had been declared safe by the relevant authorities.
The government further cautioned political parties, candidates and other political actors against politicising the disaster or exploiting the plight of affected residents for partisan purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“While political actors have the constitutional right to canvass for public support, the government considers it important that public discourse remains issue-based, responsible and devoid of inflammatory rhetoric capable of aggravating the anxiety and vulnerability of disaster-affected communities,” the statement said.
The government also urged residents to heed flood and weather alerts issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and other competent authorities, particularly those living in flood-prone communities.
It advised residents to monitor official forecasts and early-warning information, comply with evacuation advisories where necessary, avoid crossing flooded roads, bridges and waterways, and promptly report emerging threats to emergency-response agencies.
Omebeh said the government appreciated the resilience of residents and the support of traditional institutions, local government authorities, security agencies, first responders and humanitarian organisations in responding to the incident.
He reaffirmed the Nwifuru administration’s commitment to protecting lives, safeguarding livelihoods and strengthening the resilience of communities against future flooding and other natural hazards.
“The government therefore reassures the people of Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area, and all other affected communities that they are not alone in this difficult period,” he said.