Governor Peter Obi said necessary measures were being put in place to reduce State vulnerability to environmental and ecological disaster. Governor Obi stated this at a stakeholders meeting and launching of the State Flood, Erosion Control and Water Conservation Technical Guidelines, at J. Jumal Hotel, Awka.
The Governor, who said the State Government was working with the UNDP on the programme, explained that the policy document aimed at providing information on flood Management, techniques and Measures to protect the environment from devastation.
Governor Obi urged the people to be alert and conscious of the official warning from the National Emergency Management Agency on threat of usual flooding which he noted is already manifesting in Ogbaru, Anambra East and West, stressing that communities should take precaution and measures while soliciting for external intervention.
The Governor announced the cancellation of all bids for school projects in various communities and emphasized that henceforth, contracts for school and primary health centre projects in any community will be executed by people from the communities involved. He explained that this will enable government to hold people of the community responsible if anything goes wrong.
The State Chairman, MDGs Implementation Committee and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof. Chinyere Okuna said government decision on contracts would encourage communities to take full ownership of the projects. Prof. Okuna assured that those who have already paid would be refunded their money.
The Transition Committee Chairman, Onitsha North, Mr. Eddy Okosi said Governor Obi administration had remained responsive and is taking necessary measures against impending disaster.
An Environment Consultant, Mr. Austin Nwangwu stressed the need to take preventive measures on erosion through conservative practice and proper collection of flood water from buildings and compounds.
