Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged residents of Warri and Uvwie Local Government Areas of the state to desist from dumping refuse in drainage channels to eliminate flooding.
Okowa, who made the call while inaugurating Warri South Local Government Council Chairman’s Lodge in Warri, on Thursday, said blocking the drains with all manner of plastic cans and debris would defeat the purpose of constructing storm drainage channels and charged the people to cooperate with the state government to end flooding in the twin cities of Warri and Effurun.
He commended the Warri South Council Chairman, Dr Michael Tidi, for his administration’s strides and urged the people to protect the drains to forestall environmental hazards.
“I want to appeal to our people across the state to cooperate with the Councils to keep their environment clean.
“I have gone round Warri South and Uwvie to inspect the storm water drainage projects and I can see the devastating effects of the very bad habit of some of our people who dump wastes in the drains rather than find ways to discard them.
“By the special grace of God we have taken bold steps to construct the storm water drainage channels which are at advanced stages of completion.
“I need to say that it is not right that we dump wastes into the drains because its not in the best interest of the people.
“In one of the sites we visited we saw heaps of empty bottle water cans dumped inside the drains and this can easily block the drains and cause flooding.
“We are doing our best to ensure that we are able to take out flood waters from the twin towns; so, please cooperate with us to ensure that these projects and programmes succeed for all of us”, he stated.
Earlier, the Governor had inspected ongoing storm drainage projects in the Warri and Effurun metropolis where he ordered immediate repudiation of Uti road contract which had been abandoned by the contractor.
He also inspected the commencement of the reconstruction of the Warri Township Stadium, and assured that the contractor would work towards linking the stadium drainage channels to the storm water channels in the city.
In his address, Dr Tidi told the Governor about his administration’s achievements in giving the Council Secretariat a face-lift, hosting of the Warri Economic Summit, environmental sanitation, rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres, portable water supply, security and job creation.
The ceremony was attended by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, among other dignitaries.
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