Nwifuru orders evacuation of flood victims

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Gov Nwifuru

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By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki

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Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has directed the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to evacuate, relocate and intensify assessment of communities affected by the recent flooding in Ivo and Ohaozara Local Government Areas of the state.

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Nwifuru also directed the agency to work with relevant federal emergency-management authorities to coordinate relief, rehabilitation and other support measures for affected residents.

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The governor expressed concern over the impact of the flooding on residents of Akaeze in Ivo Local Government Area and other affected communities, where households, farmlands, crops, properties and other sources of livelihood were reportedly destroyed.

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He said the state government had contacted the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide complementary intervention and support to the affected communities in line with established intergovernmental disaster-response mechanisms.

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Nwifuru, while sympathising with families whose livelihoods were affected, said the welfare and security of residents remained central to his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda.

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“No effort will be spared in addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of affected residents. We will also pursue measures aimed at restoring livelihoods and strengthening community resilience against future climate-related and environmental emergencies,” he said.

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The governor urged affected residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency-response officials conducting assessments and coordinating relief operations.

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He also advised residents against returning prematurely to flood-prone areas or occupying structurally compromised buildings until the areas were declared safe by the relevant authorities.

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Nwifuru further cautioned political actors against politicising the disaster or exploiting the plight of affected residents for partisan purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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“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,” he said.

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He called on political parties, candidates, community leaders and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and place the safety, dignity and welfare of citizens above partisan considerations, particularly during periods of humanitarian distress.

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The state government also urged residents to take seriously weather and flood alerts issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and other relevant authorities.

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Residents in flood-prone communities were advised to monitor official weather 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.

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Nwifuru commended the resilience and community spirit demonstrated by residents, traditional institutions, local government authorities, security agencies, first responders, humanitarian organisations and other stakeholders involved in the response to the disaster.

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“Our administration remains committed to protecting lives, safeguarding livelihoods and delivering sustainable development across Ebonyi State,” he said.

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He added that government interventions would continue to be guided by verified assessments of needs, with the primary objective of ensuring that affected residents receive appropriate assistance while measures were strengthened to reduce vulnerability to future flooding and other natural hazards.

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The governor reassured residents of Akaeze in Ivo Local Government Area and other affected communities that the government would continue to support them as assessment and response operations progressed.

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