Delta sets up flood management committee, asks residents to relocate high-risk areas

The Delta government has asked residents in lowlands and flood-prone areas of the state to relocate to safer grounds.

In a statement on, Wednesday, Festus Ahon, the chief press secretary to Sheriff Oborevwori, the state governor, said the relocation became necessary following the opening of Lagdo dam in Cameroon.

He said a 14-member flood disaster management committee has been set up to tackle the challenge of flooding in the state and provide relief materials to victims.

“Already His Excellency, Gov. Oborevwori has approved the setting up of a Flood Disaster Management Committee to ensure that persons displaced from their homes as a result of the impending flood are adequately catered for,” he said.

“The committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, has been saddled with the responsibility of carrying out aggressive sensitisation of citizens on the impending flood.

“The committee will also propose appropriate measures for the prevention and management of flooding, address the displacement of people and suggest ways for the provision of relief materials to victims.

“They will be accommodated at various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps nearest to them.

“We are therefore calling on affected citizens to call the following numbers – 08064137841 and 08037200696 – for government intervention in the case of flooding.”

In a related development, Wasiu Adesina, chairman of Ikorodu LGA in Lagos, has warned residents against indiscriminate disposal of refuse in drainages.

Adesina, who gave the warning during an interview on Wednesday, said the area is prone to flooding and that the warning became necessary to prevent casualties in the event of flooding.

He said the environment department of the council has been directed to identify any blocked drainage and canals for immediate evacuation.

“Ikorodu is considered to be part of the flood prone areas of Lagos due to its closeness to the lagoon,” he said.

“This is the reason we are doing our best in ensuring that drainages are cleared to allow the free flow of water. Some of the areas noticed were the Sabo market where the council had laid asphalted roads and reconstructed the two-side drainage system.

“We have also done some drainage clearing and reconstruction of canals and drainage system at Itundumidogaran.

“We have cleared lots of drainages for easy passage of water during downpours at Aga area, Ita-Elewa Otambala to Ota-Ona road, to mention a few.

“The council has also embarked on massive filling of potholes, rehabilitation and expansion of drainages to facilitate the free flow of water.

“I appeal to my people to avoid destroying the drainage system and our roads with the perception of ‘it is government property.”