Flood: Delta Govt commences massive opening of canals
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Following the recent warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that the shift in rain pattern may cause flooding in some parts of the country, Delta state government has commenced flood control measures to mitigate the effect of flood in flood prone areas.
Delta state Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa recently commenced the massive clearing and opening of Waterways in Uzere Kingdom and other communities in Isoko South Local Government Areas of the State.
Uzere kingdom is one of the communities along the River Niger that is worse hit by flood each time their is a flood.
Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Barr. John Obukohwo Nani, who spoke to journalists during the exercise in Uzere, said the efforts of the State government is part of sustained strategies to drastically reduce the impact of flooding in the community.
He explained that the aim of the crucial exercise is to allow for a free flow of flood water from the Anya creek in Araya, earlier opened by the State Government, noting that Uzere community is the major recipient of all flood water from Araya and environs.
Hon. Nani noted that the crucial exercise which involves the mechanical clearing of shrubs and weeds from Okotour water Canal to Eriede Bridge that discharge at Patani River; Agbada Urhrue Steam to Etoko with discharge Asaba – Ase, and Oturo Bridge through Okorie Bridge and Tako Farms Bridge to discharge at Patani River, will take about Fifteen Days to complete.
He stressed that when the exercise is fully completed, it will solve the age-long problem of flooding in the oil rich kingdom.
He expressed happiness that the humane efforts of the state government was already yielding positive result as preliminary assessment report shows that the flood water is residing aggressively from the community and farm lands to the Patani River.
While reiterating Gov. Okowa’s sincere commitments to raise the bar of governance and resolve the prevalent environmental challenges in the State, He urge the people of Uzere and the Isoko Nation to continue to stand strong in their supports for the Okowa’s administration.
“No doubt, Gov. Okowa has done excellently well in the even distribution of life impacting projects across the state.
“There is no Kingdom in the State that has not positively felt the Okowa’s miracle of governance in the past 3 years.
“Moreso, His peace building initiatives and distinct administrative experiences has counted positively for Deltans through the effective and result oriented management of scarce resources that has usher in the massive infrastructural development being witnessed across the State.
“The 2019 gubernatorial election should not be about Gov. Okowa or PDP but about our unity in diversify which has been our strongest bond in the past 27years,” Hon. Nani said.
The Traditional Ruler of Uzere Kingdom, HRM ETUWEDE III, Ovie of Uzere Kingdom thanked Gov. Okowa for his swift response to the needs of his people particularly in managing the complex flood problems bedeviling the kingdom.
He noted that the quality of work being carried out by the Ministry of Environment will permanently solve the perennial flooding of the community and also promote water transportation for his people, adding that his people can now access Araya, Aviara and other communities with their canoes.
The monarch also thanked the Hon. Commissioner of Environment, Barr. John Obukohwo Nani and his team for their unflinching commitments to carrying out the Governor’s directives for the good of his Deltans.
“Uzere is a waterlog area and our major occupation which is farming and fishing has been seriously bastardized by the heavy siltation of our canals. This has reduce agricultural output as our farm land has been covered with water leaving many of our people in hunger.
“But with the opening of the canals, my people are already breathing a sigh of relief as the positive effect of the activities are already noticeable with the rate flood water is residing from our homes and farm lands,” the monarch said.
He assured Governor Okowa of his people’s continuous support for the his administration saying that Gov. Okowa’s detribalized government has actually given him and his people enough reasons to support his administration to achieve more in the State.