Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Honourable Chris Onogba, on Thursday took a boat ride of the River Niger to ascertain the rising level of the River in view of the predicted flooding of coastline communities in the state by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, this rainy season.
Onogba said the River tour would enable the state government to plan well for the predicted flooding to avoid being caught napping, pointing out that the state would not want a repeat of past experiences where lives and property were lost to flooding.
The Environment Commissioner disclosed that his ministry would soon embark on the clearing of canals, natural waterways, small Rivers and tributaries to ease the flow of water and flood, while blocked drains would be desilted to properly channel flood water to the designated discharge points before heavy rains set in.
He stressed that flooding was imminent and should not be taken for granted, urging people living in flood prone areas of the state to be prepared to relocate to the upland to avoid material losses and danger to their lives.
Onogba warned persons in the habit of dumping refuse in the drains or errecting structures on natural waterways to desist as his ministry would pull down all illegal structures on natural waterways to open up channels for flood water whenever it rained.
New Hands on Deck as Delta Targets Durable Roads under Oborevwori