FLOODING : ASIUWHU INSPECTS ONGOING CANALISATION IN PATANI

By Uche Chukwuma- Ugbejie

Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Godspower Godspower Omafuvwe Asiuwhu JP , has said that in a bid to reduce the sufferings of Deltans affected by flood, the state government had mobilised more equipment to desilt rivers and canals across the state for fast receding of the flood.

The commissioner, who was at Odorubu and Uduophori communities in Patani Local Government Area of the state to inspect the ongoing de-silting, said the state government was not unaware of the sufferings of the people because of the flood.

He said the state governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, directed that flood prone communities should be visited to ascertain the level of damage and find a way to assist such communities in the state.

Chief Asiuwhu, who sympathised with the affected communities, called on Deltans to avoid dumping refuse indiscriminately, especially on waterways, rivers and canals, stressing that it could lead to distructive floodings.

He also assured the other communities that the opening up of waterways would go round all the communities affected in the state, adding that no community would be left out.

He advised residents to register with the private Sector Participants PSPs to dispose their waste to government approved dump sites and that people should learn how to manage their refuse properly.

He said the places receiving attention on the first phase included Odorubu and Uduophori communities of Pattani Local Government, Ughelli, Sapele, Iyi – Ekpen, Orogodo River in Ika North and South as well as Iyi- abi in Oshimili North, Anwai River in Oshimili South Local Governments, among others.

Comrade Kingsley Iweka, the contractor who also supervised the exercise at Odorubu and Uduophori communities in Patani Local Government said before they embarked on opening up the waterways, the communities were submerged by the flood, but had some relief after the first day of work.

The Odion of Uduophori Community, Chief Erutata Stephen, Presedent General of Uduophori Federated Community Chief Ado ThankGod , the Odorubu Federated Community President General, Comr. James Orogun and the councillor representating Odorubu, Hon. Ejemudaro Gabriel, expressed gratitude to the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and the commissioner for the gesture, saying that it would go a long way to reduce the effects of the flood in the communities.