In continuation of the inspection tour of the ongoing massive desilting and clearing of canals across Delta State, the chairman, Board of Delta State Oil Producing Area Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief John Nani, has restated that the state governor, Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori remains resolute in his quest for a flood-free Delta.
The chairman made the statement on Sunday in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of the state as DESOPADEC continues 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.”
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 they could cause flooding in their communities.
“We want to appeal to residents to help government by disposing of their wastes 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 (FDMC) headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), 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,. Ejiro Jamani, commended the state governor for the work done across the state, saying Delta State is prepared.
He appealed to residents to always take ownership of their environment, desist from illegal wastes disposal, illegal construction of buildings on drainage, canals and waterways but endeavour to say something whenever they notice an infraction in order to ensure that the environment remains habitable and safe for all.
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