MAN insists on permanent solution to flood menace in Anambra
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) says a permanent solution to the perennial flooding in Anambra state will give the country a major boost in manufacturing and other key economic activities.
The National President, Otunba Francis Meshioye, made this position known, Friday, when he toured Harbour Industrial Layout in Ogbaru and Onitsha Local Government areas, Anambra State to sympathize with industrialists that were affected by the flood disaster in the state.
Among the industries affected by the disaster are A.N. Ejeagwu and Sons Limited, Kristoral and Company Limited, PZ Cousins Plc, Pokobross Group of Companies, Brollo International Profiles Resources Limited, ANES Industries Limited, Dragons Industries Limited, among others.
Sympathizing with the members , Meshioye noted that a permanent solution to the perennial flooding would be necessary if the country is to forge ahead in economic growth and development.
Meshioye said “We came here to understand what the manufacturers have been experiencing on daily basis in Anambra state. Before now, we had collected videos and now, have also seen them physically.
“While we look at the permanent solution, we also want to find out what can be done on the interim to stop the perennial sufferings of the people.
“We believe that if the government and other stakeholders could work on the Bar Beach in Lagos, the issue of the overflowing river Niger and river Benue could be managed.”
On the way forward, he said “What we intend to do now is to evaluate the situation, understand the root cause and meet the government to address the problem permanently.
“We need to be as pragmatic as possible so that what we are presenting will be one feasible for them to implement. Notwithstanding, the federal government knows that the main sector is the area it needs to develop because of its impact on the economy.
“We want to gather evidence and possibly in terms of solutions, give the government many options they would find appropriate to work with in solving the problem permanently.
“We have enquired about the damages and we now want to meet people with the know-how to give us any long-term or short-term solutions. The association will have to decide whether to advise government to dredge it down so that when there is overflow from the dam, it will be able to accommodate the water.”
He commended the industrialists in the state for their resilient and behavioral attitude, even in the face of challenges, and assured them that the association will not sleep until it finds a lasting solution to their concern.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Anambra/Enugu/Ebonyi States Branch, Lady Ada Chukwudozie said the association have cried out to relevant quarters in government to see what can be done to ameliorate the sufferings of the members.
She said, “What we have done now is more like fact finding to see things for ourselves with the newly elected president of our association. In the end, we would go back to our offices, examine the issues and proffer solutions to the government.
Earlier while counting their losses, some of the affected industrialists said they lost machines, raw materials and finished goods to the rampaging flood.
They called on the federal government to intervene by providing lasting solutions to the flood menace and stop its future reoccurrence in the state.
