Waterway in Delta used to demonstrate the story.
By Peter Utebor
DELTA: As part of measures towards flood control, Delta State Government has begun demolition awareness exercise to owners of buildings on waterways.
According to the state government the decision was taken as part of measures towards flood control in other to avoid a repeat of the flood menace experienced in the state recently.
The Director General on special duties Chief Frank Omare who was appointed recently by the state governor, RT Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori gave the directive to residents in Warri, Uvwie on Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 during the inspection of some major drainages that have been blocked with Buildings and illegal structures in the state.
Frank Omare said the directives is only for owners of buildings standing on waterways in the state to be demolished urging them to move out their properties as any structures on top waterways most be demolished.
It could be recalled that Governor Sheriff Oborowori recently went on a working visit to the oil city and inspected Phases One and Two of the ongoing Warri-Effurun Storm Water Control Projects in Warri South and Uvwie Council areas. Seeing the blockages causing flooding hazards, he ordered the demolition of all the structures erected on waterways across the state.
Currently, Omare has warned property developers to desist from building on natural waterways, adding that houses on waterways, and right-of-ways will be demolished, he added further that the state government desire to see an immediate end to flooding in all major cities in the state.
According to him, “The inspection and sensitization were organized to inform and sensitize residents in the state that the government is working tirelessly to ensure a better environment for Deltans, and the plan to clear up the drainage systems is part of the response to recent flooding that wreaked havoc in Warri and other cities in Delta State, the government of Delta state has taken swift action to investigate the causes behind the increased incidence of flooding within the cities”.
Frank Omare, former commissioner for environment further went around the Warri/Effurun and environs drainages and disclosed that the recent flooding was caused by major obstruction on the waterways, especially with Buildings.
Earlier, Omare started his inspection from Ugboroke in Warri South Local Government Area where he observed a building that was marked for demolition, a resident in the area, Miracle Ogbe of Church Lane Ogboroke Uwvie, LGA lamented that the entire place is usually flooded whenever it rains.
READ: Police recover more illegal arms in Delta, arrest members of cult groups
Afoke Eminokanju trader in Auntie Rose Road Ugboroke commended the moves to address the issue of flooding in the state.
“Government is constructing drainages and those drainages have been blocked, a lot of buildings are standing on the Waterway some of them are illegally approved and some of them do not have approval at all.
“My office has been directed to pull down structures blocking the waterways, the demolition will not be selective no one should do any irresponsible thing against the environment.”
