Delta State Govt Set To Demolish Buildings Blocking Water Channels Across The State__Oromoni

Delta State Govt Set To Demolish Buildings Blocking Water Channels Across The State__Oromoni

...... ldentifies lndiscriminate Dumping Of Refuse On Water ways As Contributing Factor To Flooding

National Meteorological Agency has predicted that Delta state will experience serious flooding in the coming days and in view of this, Delta state Government has commenced sensitization to flood prone areas. 

On an inspection tour to some blocked canals across the state, the state Taskforce Chairman on Environment Honourable Sylvester Oromoni said there are too many people living close to drainage/canals, putting up buildings without permission that blocks the flow of rainwater. People are building too close without considering drainages and Canals" 

State building inspectors attached to Warri, Uvwie development Agency and the ministry of lands & Surveys are already marking homes for demolition that were built illegally along the canals as well as legally-constructed buildings whose foundations have been undermined by flooding.

According to Oromoni the state will waist no time in pulling down those structures to reduce the risk of further flooding as the rainy season has just begun. He therefore advised people living in marked buildings to leave immediately.

We are presently collaborating with law enforcement agencies to ensure there will be no tolerance for people close to the drain," he said. "We can't afford it any more. We can't put people's lives at risk.

At Olare River layout also known as Ijaw Quarters, Honourable Oromoni noted that trash and silt in some drainage channels have cut their carrying capacity by half.

These channels, you can see, are highly silted. And that is why we are having a lot of the backwater problem that is ravaging the area" Rains are expected to continue this month and will likely carry on through out the ember months so Government will not tolerate any abuse to the state environmental laws.

Honourable Sylvester Oromoni attributed human activities such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse on water ways and lack of control towards building codes as one of the factors responsible for the flooding.

“As a government, we are going to take a decisive step to ensure that residents comply with environmental laws.

“We will continue to dredge canals in the state to allow free passage of water.

“The effect of human activities, that is building on water ways and indiscriminate dumping of refuse inside stream and rivers are factors responsible for flooding and we will no longer fold our hands. 

He also expressed bitterness that despite sensitization, many residents still encroached on water paths.

He hinted that government will demolish houses obstructing water ways, while advising people living along river channels to vacate their places of abode to a safe place.

Sir, Igho Akpojotor SSA to the Governor on special duties and and Comr. Kingsley Iweka, Enviroment Taskforce Coordinator Delta Central and south also accompanied the state Chairman Honourable Sylvester Oromoni.