OZORO/Nigeria: As part of it avowed commitments to effectively reduce the menace and damages caused by flooding and the dire needs to put in place proactive prevention measures to avoid future flooding, the Sen. Ifeanyi Authur Okowa led Delta State Government has commenced the massive clearing and opening of Waterways in Uzere Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Areas of the State.
According to the State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Barr. John Obukohwo Nani, the efforts of the State government is part of sustained strategies to drastically reduce the impact of flooding in the community. He explained that the aim of the crucial exercise is to allow for a free flow of flood water from the Anya creek in Araya earlier opened by the State Government noting that Uzere community is the major recipient of all flood water from Araya and environs.
Hon. Nani noted that the crucial exercise which involves the mechanical clearing of shrubs and weeds from Okotour water Canal to Eriede Bridge that discharge at Patani River; Agbada Urhrue Steam to Etoko with discharge at Asaba – Ase, and Oturo Bridge through Okorie Bridge and Tako Farms Bridge to discharge at Patani River, will take about Fifteen Days to complete noting that when fully completed, it will solve the age-long problem of flooding in the oil rich kingdom. He expressed happiness that the humane efforts of the state government is already yielding positive result as preliminary assessment report shows that the flood water is residing aggressively from the community and farm lands to the Patani River.
The Traditional Ruler of Uzere Kingdom, HRM DR H O U ETUWEDE III, Ovie of Uzere Kingdom thanked Gov. Okowa for his swift response to the needs of his people particularly in managing the complex flood problems bedeviling the kingdom. He noted that the quality of work being carried out by the Ministry of Environment will permanently solve the perennial flooding of the community and also promote water transportation for his people stating that his people can now access Araya, Aviara and other communities with their canoes.
