Delta Govt ready to combat flooding -says DESOPADEC chairman

By Nosa Akenzua

In continuation of the inspection tour of the ongoing massive desilting and clearing of canals across Delta State, the Chairman of the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Area Commission DESOPADEC, Chief John Nani has reiterated that the Governor of Delta State Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori remains resolute in his quest for a flood free Delta.

The Chairman made this statement on Sunday in Sapele, Sapele local government Area in Delta as DESOPADEC continued to evacuate canals across the state to reduce the impact of flooding.

Chief Nani said: “We are here on inspection to ascertain the level of work that has been done. As work is simultaneously ongoing across the state, we have opened blocked drainages. and canals in Kiagbodo/ Bikorogha canal, Bekederemo river in Kiagbodo, Ika, Isoko, Bomadi, Agbarho, Echerode Canal in Ughelli, Udu, Jakpa Road in Effurun, Okere link road in Warri.

READ ALSO: Cipriani Limited unveils reality tv show to promote 3D…

Chief Nani stated that while the project is progressing, there are still some challenges which include indiscriminate dumping of refuse into the cleared canals. He urged residents to refrain from these harmful practices, as it could cause flooding in our communities.

“We want to appeal to residents to help government help them by disposing of their waste through appropriate channels

While outlining some of the measures put in place by the State Governor, Nani said: “We have a proactive Governor who has set up modalities in place to ensure that the impact of the coming rains, as predicted by NiMet, is minimal.”

He added that the Governor had set up a Flood Disaster Management Committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, to ensure that persons displaced from their homes as a result of the impending flood are adequately catered.

The Chairman disclosed that those who had built illegal structures on the canal drainage channels and waterways should remove them immediately as the government has commenced demolition of such illegal structures.

Earlier, when the team visited the Ugbeku Canal at Amukpe in Sapele Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ejiro Jamani commended the state Governor for the extensive work done across the state, saying that “Delta State is prepared.”