By Tony Adibe
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that it has concluded on-the-spot assessment impact of windstorm disasters in various communities in Aninri Local Government Area (LGA) within Enugu State.
The Information Officer of NEMA Enugu Operations Office, Mr Ezeani Nnanyelugo, told newsmen on Friday in Enugu that the assessment was conducted in four autonomous communities in Aninri LGA.
Nnanyelugo said that the assessment, which was concluded on April 9, was conducted by the Agency jointly with the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (ENSEMA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS).
He said: “On arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint team was warmly received by the President Generals of the various autonomous communities who thereafter took the team members round the affected areas.
“The ferocious windstorm, which occurred at about 9.30pm on April 6, was accompany with heavy rainfall. It wreaked havoc in several autonomous communities including Ukete, Achara, Ameke, and Mmafu in Oduma, Aninri LGA, Enugu State.
“Both residential and public structures, with numerous buildings having their roofs blown off, alongside damage to household items, shops, markets, schools, places of worship, electrical poles, farmlands, and economic trees were all affected.”
The information officer said that the unfortunate natural disaster rendered most of the victim’s homeless and jobless, adding: “However, no life was lost and there were no injuries.” The level of destruction caused by the windstorm disaster was beyond the coping capacity of the affected persons and the communities, according to him.
Nnanyelugo, who also doubles as the NEMA team leader for the on-the-spot assessment, on behalf of the Agency and the Federal Government, empathised with the affected persons and communities over their huge losses. The community leaders, during the on-the-spot assessment, appreciated NEMA, ENSEMA, and NRCS for the swift response to their distressed calls.
The communities and persons affected further pleaded for relief intervention from the Federal and State Governments, as well as organizations and philanthropists, to ameliorate their sufferings.
