The Delta State government has intensified effort to clean and open up major drains and canals in the state with a view to preventing possible flooding.
Chief John Nani, the Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Warri.
Nani spoke shortly after an
inspection tour to project sites in Warri South and Okpe Local Government Areas of the state.
The chairman led the the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Chief Festus Ochonoghor and the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ejiro Jamani on the inspection visit.
Nani said that the projects were being executed by the DESOPADEC in partnership with the state Ministry of Environment.
He added that the move was in line the the governor’s plan to address flooding in the state.
“Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori in his proactive nature and in line with his MORE Agenda, has directed the opening of all waterways and canals to prevent flooding in the state.
“The governor does not want anyone to experience flooding in the state, hence, we have deployed no fewer than nine Swamp buggies working simultaneously across the state to clear and open up blocked canals,” he said.
Nani, however, appealed to residents to ensure they protect the canals and drains by properly disposing off their waste.
Also speaking, Chief Ochonoghor declared that the flooded areas identified in 2023 would be given attention this year to address the problems headlong in the state.
He added that the initiative would be replicated simultaneously in Sapele, Isoko, Ika, Bomadi Ndokwa and other flood prone areas in the oil-bearing communities.
“The government is committed to cleaning the system to ensure it functions properly throughout the year,” Ochonoghor said.
On his part, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Jamani said that the ministry adhered strictly to the environmental sustainability promises made by the governor during his electioneering.
According to him, the ministry has been sensitising the public on various ways to preserve and protect the environment.
The commissioner warned against the indiscriminate dumping of waste into canals and drainages, stressing that we have only one earth and we must care for it.
He, however, appealed to all stakeholders to partner the state government to ensure our environment remained clean and protected from environmental pollution.