*Mobilize heavy equipment, men, materials, opening up blocked drains, canals, waterways
By Victor Lewis
Following the recent warnings from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and the Nigerian Metrological Agency, NiMet of an impending flood disaster in some parts of the country including Delta State, the State government has constituted a team made up of staff of the Ministry of Environment, Directorate of Special Duties and the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, to immediately commence proactive steps to avert any flooding occurrence in identified areas.
The DESOPADEC inspection team led by the chairman, Chief Barr. John Obukowho Nani and the Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor backed by an experienced director from the Ministry of Environment, Asaba, Mrs. Francisca Atiga on Tuesday August 15 and 16, visited several sites where heavy equipment and men were mobilized opening up blocked drains, canals and waterways in some areas including Warri in Warri South Local Government Area, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area, Okuikpere and Osubi in Okpe Local Government Area, Sapele, Jesse in Ethiope West Local Government Area, Olomu and Oviri Ogor in Ughelli South and Ughelli North Local Government Area respectively.
Starting from old Shell Gate opposite Ugbuwangue in Warri South, the DESOPADEC team inspected the opening of an old culvert that linked the NPA expressway which has been blocked and silted for so many years. The opening of the culvert properly addressed the issue of perennial flooding of that area.
At the major waterway across Jakpa Road before former Small Market area, the team also inspected the clearance by Swamp Boggy machine of silted materials and heaps of debris which had hitherto blocked the free flow of the canal. Expressing excitement at the free flowing of water in the canal, a resident of the area who gave her name as Joy Osioma said that “before now the canal water was stagnant and whenever it rains the area is flooded and water enters people houses. But since it was cleared by swamp boggy, there is no more flood when it rains. It has improved significantly. I’m happy with it.”
Another resident of the area, Emmanuel Ovwarhe, who also spoke to media men, thanked the state government for the proactive steps to avoid flood disaster this year. He applauded DESOPADEC for the thorough monitoring of the project, adding that the canal that has been blocked is now flowing freely.
“I commend the wonderful work of the state government and we the people that stay in this axis are happy that the water is flowing now. I also thank DESOPADEC for its thorough monitoring to ensure a good job is done. Before now, when it rains our veranda used to be flooded by the over floor from the canal but with the recent expansion and clearance, it is now flowing away and no more flood. So, I thank the government”, he said.
The combined inspection and monitoring team also visited the Effurun GRA where some places which are known to experience perennial flooding were being opened up by hired hands who were also evacuating debris from clogged gutters.
The team also inspected the opening up of the tunnel under and across the Effurun roundabout-DSC roundabout expressway. The tunnel which is connected to the gutters from the GRA has been blocked before now. Water from most part of the GRA including the Uvwie secretariat now flows across the expressway to the forest, thus reducing the impact of flood in the area.
Fielding questions from journalists during the inspection, the HOD of Housing Projects, DESOPADEC Mr. Q.S. Williams Oyimi, supervising the operation, disclosed that the opening of the canal across the expressway has led to the evacuation of water from the GRA.
“Prior to the opening of this canal, there was flooding around the Secretariat and Effurun GRA. But as we opened up the canal, when it rained yesterday, it did not last up to 30 minutes before the water was flushed away.
“You could recalled that before now some places along Airport Road, Ekpan and Jakpa areas that used to be flooded, but as we speak today, with the intervention of the state government and DESOPADEC, there is no more flooding in those areas. And I’ll assure you that when we are done, flooding will be a thing of the past in those areas”, he assured.
At the Okuikpere canal crossing along the East-West Road by FUPRE junction, the Swamp Boggy machine in operation had opened both sides of the canal and high volume of water was flowing with high voltage towards the Agbarho River. Residents in the area interviewed confessed that with the opening of the waterway, the flood that had already started building up had disappeared.
The inspection and monitoring team also visited Osubi where they expressed satisfaction with the level of clearance of clogged drains along the Governor’s street and other areas.
At Sapele by Reclamation Road, it was observed that the main canal that takes water from most part of the city into Ogberikoko area to Uton River had been sufficiently opened up by the contractor. One could notice fishermen taking advantage of the opened water canal to cast their nets and making good catches.
Fielding questions from newsmen, the Sapele Local Government Council chairman, Hon. Eugene Inoaghan expressed satisfaction with the job done by the combined team of the Ministry of Environment and DESOPADEC, adding that he was sure that the predicted flood by NEMA and NiMet would not affect the area.
“First and foremost, for using the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for giving approval to DESOPADEC to ensure that the water in this canal is de-silted. Before now, when it rains, this major Reclamation Road is flooded. It was usually flooded. But when we cried to the Governor and DESOPADEC chairman and MD, they brought swamp Boggy and it has been working in Sapele for over one week.
“And as you can see, where we are standing now is the main road and there is no water. The water has started de- silting. The machine is still working and it will take more weeks to finish de-silting Sapele. But the citizens of Sapele are happy with what is ongoing”, Inoaghan said.
On how to curb the spate of indiscriminate dumping of waste products on the canal, the Council boss said that “We have provided refuse dumps for the residents. Also, the immediate past Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa made provision for dump site. Last two weeks ago we made provision for another dump site.
“So, we have three dump sites in Sapele Local Government Council Area. So, I want to appeal to the good people of Sapele that they should not use any place the see as dump sites. They should register with Private Sector Participants (PSP) who will evacuate all refuse to the dump sites. This is a special appeal to them. If they do not abide by this appeal, the government will not take it lightly with them”, the chairman said.
Also speaking to newsmen, the chairman of DESOPADEC, Chief Barr. John Nani, commended the effort of the Sapele Local Government chairman, Hon. Inoaghan for his effort in opening of drainages, adding that the operation of the Commission is opening of the major water canals that are linked to the various drainages.
“When we go to other Local Government Areas you see that the Commission also open drainages. But I think I need to give it to the chairman of Sapele Local Government also who has opened all the drainages. All we do here now is to see that the several canals we have in Sapele are adequately opened.
“The swamp Boggy we deployed will be here for three weeks. This is internal flooding we are attacking now. We know that we are also proactive against any eventuality of coastal flooding so that those living at the coastal areas do not suffer”, he said.
The inspection team also visited Jesse Town in Ethiope West LGA where the Commission was fully engaged in opening and clearing debris from several drains and canals.
The Otota (Prime Minister) of Idjerhe kingdom, Chief Onosia James, who spoke with journalists, expressed gratitude to the state government and the leadership of DESOPADEC for their proactive effort to avert flood disaster this year.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor, said that the Commission got the instruction of the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to work with the Ministry of Environment and Special Duties Director-General, Chief Frank Omare, to ensure that canals and drains are cleared to minimize the effects of the predicted flooding this year.
He said: “We have the instruction of the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori that we should be proactive, working in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and the Special Duties DG, that we ensure we clear the canals and clear the drains so that the effect of the intending flood will be minimized.
“DESOPADEC is definitely intervening in these areas to avert the impending flood in Jesse, Mosogar, Oghara, Agbor, Kwale, Oleh, Ozoro, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Uvwie, Warri and its environs. What we are doing is a clear directive from the Governor of the State, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, who has asked that we ensure all canals are cleared to mitigate the effects of the impending flood.”
On Wednesday August 16, the Inspection and monitoring team from DESOPADEC and Ministry of Environment visited the site of de-silting operation in Oviri- Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area, where a swamp Boggy has been working for some days.
Speaking with journalists in Oviri-Olomu, the President-General of Olomu Federated Communities, Olorogun John Ewenede Akaruaye JP praised the magnanimity of the Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori under which DESOPADEC was operating and opening up canals and waterways to prevent flooding.
According to him, last year the communities experience heavy flooding, adding that it was a total mess. He expressed gratitude to the state government and DESOPADEC for their timely intervention to prevent what happened last year.
“We sincerely appreciate the government of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori under which DESOPADEC is doing this marvelous job. But not for him, what we experienced here last year was a total mess. From here to the second bridge up to the Anglican church, it was all submerged in flood. It was a total disaster. Agricultural produce were destroyed.
“And it has started this year before the intervention of this remedial work. So, we the people of Oviri Olomu are really grateful. Under the leadership of Chief Barr. John Nani and Chief Festus Ochonogor, Oviri Olomu has been rescued from flood this year”, Ewenede said.
The team was also at the Oviri Ogor community in Ughelli North to inspect the work of the contractors handling the clearance of the main canal that linked the Otovwodo junction through the market were at work. Residents who spoke to newsmen expressed satisfaction for the job so far done, adding that it has checked the menace of perennial flooding in the area.
On the DESOPADEC Inspection team were the chairman of the Commission, Olorogun Barr. John Nani, Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor, Director of Projects, Olorogun Taleb Tebite and other key staff including a Director in the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Francesca Atigan, amongst others.
Our correspondent gathered that the Commission will mobilize to Agbarho in Ughelli North which is already being threatened by perennial internal flood disaster and thereafter, to the two Isoko Local Government Areas, starting from next week.
Opened canal at Oviri Ogor behind Otovwodo junction, Ughelli North LGA.
Swamp Boggy machine opening up canals at Okuikpere, Okpe LGA
Opened canal at Jakpa Road Effurun
Opened canal at Reclamation Road in Sapele
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