The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has intensified efforts to tackle flooding across its mandate areas, with its Chairman, Olorogun Barr. John Obukowho Nani, assuring residents that the commission will not abandon oil-producing communities threatened by rising floodwaters.
Nani gave the assurance on Friday during an inspection of the ongoing de-silting of canals and drainage channels in affected communities, accompanied by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor.
The inspection took the team to Oviri-Agbaroh in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area, where scores of houses have already been submerged after floodwaters overflowed from a major canal, leaving residents stranded and appealing for urgent intervention.
Speaking after assessing the situation, Nani said the commission was determined to reduce the impact of the flooding through emergency drainage interventions.
“We are here to assess the level of work done by the swamp buggy clearing the canal. We have seen that the water has overflowed, and what is more worrisome is the narrow culvert along the expressway which has already collapsed because of the volume of water. We will do everything within our capacity to alleviate the suffering of our people,” he said.
The DESOPADEC chairman disclosed that the intervention began in June following forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) of heavy flooding across the Niger Delta.
According to him, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori directed the commission to act early to minimise the impact of the anticipated floods.
“The governor gave us a marching order to intervene immediately, and we have been working in several communities across our mandate areas since June. This exercise will continue because we are not going to abandon our people in their time of need,” Nani added.
One of the affected residents, Mrs. Ese Oghenekevwe, whose home has already been overtaken by floodwater, appealed to the state government and DESOPADEC for emergency relief.
“The flood has taken over my house. I appeal for assistance in any way possible so my family can cope until the situation improves,” she pleaded.
The inspection team also visited Owhe-Ologbo in Isoko North Local Government Area, where work is ongoing on a new canal to improve water flow and reduce flooding.
DESOPADEC Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor, said the intervention would be extended to other flood-prone communities across the Isoko axis to provide a comprehensive solution.
Coordinator of the project and Chief Executive Officer of Glo Environ Associate Ltd, Mr. Onohworemu Augustine, said several communities, including Oleh, Ozoro and Uzere, had already benefited from the ongoing drainage clearing exercise.
