SPECIAL FEATURE: Examining Gov Oborevwori’s pivotal role in flood prevention across DESOPADEC mandate areas

Flooding is a global phenomenon that continues to pose significant threats to cities and nations worldwide.

Factors such as heavy rainfall, poor drainage systems, and overflowing riverbanks contribute to this persistent issue. Delta State, Nigeria, with its low flat landscape, is particularly susceptible to flooding due to its unique geographical location and meteorological conditions.

Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Executive Governor of Delta State

Delta State's geography is defined by the River Niger and its tributary, the Forçados River, which flows along its eastern and southern borders, respectively. Another Niger tributary, the Escravos River, runs through Warri, while the coastal areas are interspersed with dozens of smaller Niger tributaries that make up much of the western Niger Delta. This intricate network of waterways places Delta State at high risk of flooding, especially in communities situated along these riverbanks.

Natural causes of flooding in Delta State include excessive rainfall and climate change. However, human activities such as indiscriminate waste disposal in drains and canals, construction on natural waterways, and lax enforcement of environmental laws exacerbate the problem. Between November 26 and December 7, 2022, the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NCRS), identified 78,640 individuals affected by floods in 18 locations across Delta State.

In July 2024, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warned of increased rainfall, predicting that 13 states, including Delta, would witness heavy downpours. In response to this looming threat, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori took decisive action to tackle this menace and to ensure that Delta State remains flood-free. 

"Another flood season is here, and we can’t continue to repeat preventable loss of properties year after year. We must take action now to protect lives, health, and property. 

From L-R Chief Festus Ochonoghor Managing Director DESPOADEC, Hon Ejiro Jamani ,Commissioner for Environment, and Chief John Nani Chairman DESOPADEC

“We saw first-hand the devastation from previous floods where people were displaced and properties lost, especially people living in our most vulnerable communities. That’s why we are taking these proactive measures in ensuring Delta is flood-free this year and our people are safe,’’ said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

The governor, in his resilience in protecting our communities from annual devastating flooding and tragic loss of lives and properties, constituted a twenty-member flood disaster management committee, headed by the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu. The committee's mandate includes managing and preventing flooding, addressing the displacement of people, and suggesting ways to provide relief materials to victims.

To further cushion the impact of the flood, the governor tasked the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) with extensive desilting of waterways, canals, and drainages in flood-prone areas across the oil-bearing communities in the state. 

DESOPADEC, in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Environment, crafted a robust flood-prevention plan aimed at safeguarding vulnerable communities across the state. The Chairman of the Board of DESOPADEC, Chief John Nani, and the Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonoghor, immediately deployed facilities across the state to tackle the issue.

‘’In line with the MORE Agenda, the Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, in his proactive nature has directed the opening of all waterways drains and canals to prevent flooding in the state.

"The governor does not want anyone to experience flooding in the state hence we have deployed over nine (9) swamp buggies working simultaneously across the state.

‘’Dredging major rivers and canals will reduce the vulnerability of communities to flooding issues as experienced by many states last year,’’ said Chief John Nani, Chairman of the Board of DESOPADEC

“The government is committed to cleaning the system to ensure it functions properly throughout the year This feat can only be achieved through sustainable cleaning of all drainage channels in the state. We must commend Governor Sheriff Oborevwori who has taken bold steps to address the issue of flooding and enhance safety of all in our oil-bearing communities across the state," said Chief Festus Ochonoghor, MD/CEO of DESOPADEC

‘’Governor Sheriff Oborevwori deserves kudos for his commitment to environment sustainability by adopting a preventive approach to flooding. One can see what the Governor has done, we are very prepared. He constituted a 20-man committee, which I am a part of, to tackle flooding in the state. We are confident that Delta will be flood-free this year. And for those who flout environmental laws, they should please desist from it. Our climate is changing, we have only one earth and we must protect it,” said Ejiro Jamani, Commissioner for Environment, Delta State.

In Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area, DESOPADEC cleared the blocked Aloba to Bikorogha/Kiagbodo Bridge to Ngbile Waterside to Paoblor Waterside which leads to the River Niger.

In Sapele Local Government Area, the team opened the clogged drains from Commercial Avenue to Reclamation to Oriakhi to Omamedi to Owumi to Mission Road to New Road, discharging into Oton River; also from New Road by Major Bowen to Behind Sapele Clinic to Ojolu to Javel Gana to Oton by the Army Point.

Similar efforts were made in Warri South and Uvwie LGAs, where waterways were cleared to ensure smooth flow to the Warri River and surrounding water bodies. The team opened the Esisi Bridge, Ajamimogha By-pass Bridge to Warri River. The Water Resources Canal to Emebiren Waterway; The Niger-Cat Canal to Chinkelly/Ogodo, Phase II Chalisco, discharging at Jeddo River. 

Also, the drain in front of MTN at Warri-Sapele Road Effurun to Okoloba, Aka Avenue, Egbe Layout to Warri River. Drains from Jakpa Junction to Church of God Mission, New Layout down to Ekpan round about. The drains at Ufuoma Street, Ohorhe, Oghare, Kegha to Ometan Stream, were not left out.

DESOPADEC also took its facilities to Udu and Ughelli North and South LGAs. They desilted the canal at Ukpiovwin, Ogbe-Udu, Ubogo, and Owhawha discharging into Uleri River, Udu LGA. It also desilted the canal from East/ West Road by Heroes of Faith Ministry, Aro- Ughelli to Iwhreko via Ogodo Street to Swamp Hill Resort, discharging into Oteri River, Ughelli North. 

They unclogged the canal at Egor Roundabout behind St. Theresa’s Girls Grammar School at Ekiugbo to Oruvwe, discharging into Iwhreko Creek; in Ughelli North they removed the structures blocking the waterways from NNPC Roundabout by Chief Miller Uloho Villa to Igho -Agbomi Street, desilted the canal at Kingsley Osborne Street via St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, discharging at Echerode Canal, behind ShopRite. Also, the drain at Oviri- Ogor Road to Ohiore Fishing Lake in Ogor, Ughelli North was not left out. 

The interventionist agency also unclogged the drainage by Mechanic Village to behind Central Hospital to Okpaivie Road, Oleh, Isoko South. In Ika North East, they opened the drains and cleared the debris from Okobi Street and Owanta Street Junction. The drain by the fence of Utagba Ogbe Secondary School in Kwale, Udaka Street, opposite Utagba Ogbe Secondary School, Ipo Street to Apa Road, Umusadege Kwale, Afia-Eze Road to Pontu, and Ughelli-Kwale Expressway in Ndokwa West. 

In Ndokwa East, in Ashaka, and Aboh, the team cleared Hospital Road, Agidigbo Street in Aboh, Ogbe Issemele Street, Ogbe Uku, Obi Oputa Road, and Beneku Community. Illegal dumping sites along Agbor-Obiaruku Express Way in Umutu, Umutu Community, Ukwuani Local Government Area, DESOPADEC opened natural waterways and removed structures obstructing the free flow of water. These interventions have made significant progress in averting the flood crisis in these areas, reducing the likelihood of disaster during the rainy season.

Residents in the state have commended the swift intervention of Governor Oborevwori’s administration to mitigate flooding across the state.

Hon. Paul Clark, President-General of Kiagbodo Community, in Burutu Local Government Area, thanked the state governor and DESOPADEC for opening the Bekederemo River, the Bikogha/Kiagbodo Bridge and Egode Waterway which had been clogged with grasses.

He said: ‘’When the flood took over our community, our people could no longer fish, and everyone relocated to other parts of the state. Today, our people have started fishing again. I want to thank our amiable governor. Kiagbodo is grateful.

Pastor Stephen Ekokwo, a retired principal of Government College, Agbarho and a landlord in Agbarho, Ughelli North LGA, commended the governor for opening the canal that had been blocked for over six years.

‘We have been battling this issue of flooding for the past six years. Last year, I had to move my family to the school where I had retired. We made several complaints to the community but there had been no response. I was glad when I saw that the state government, through DESOPADEC, had opened the blocked canal. I thank you all because I will not be relocating my family this year," he said.

The District Chairman of Ugbomro Community, Hon. Tomabo Tedafe Olubo commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Board of DESOPADEC for the massive clearing work on the canal.

"I want to use this opportunity to commend His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the good work.

"When it rains heavily, all the houses in this community are always flooded but with this desilting work that is going on now, it will open up the water channel and allow free flow of water to the nearby river," he said.

On his part, the Youth Chairman, Umutu Youth Association, Comr. Ocheli Chukwu Nke commended the governor for the good job being executed in the community, saying that the drainage and dump site have not been evacuated for several years now.

"I am highly delighted to see this massive intervention by DESOPADEC in my community. I thank our governor for this work. We are going to do our best to continue to enlighten our people not to dump refuse in this place," he said. 

The Chairman of Ohore Community, Chief Jacob Eshenake appreciated and prayed for the governor and DESOPADEC for addressing the community's plight by de-silting the canal which had caused severe flooding and destruction of farm produce.

"We're grateful to His Excellency for the assistance this year. We've suffered from flooding which affects our recreational centre, government primary school and homes. 

It is a saving grace for the community, primarily farmers, whose agricultural produce has been saved through the canal desilting," he stated.

While residents said they were pleased with Governor Oborevwori's proactive measures in tackling floods, certain negative practices continue to hinder government's efforts to combat flooding in Delta State. Many residents, sadly, still turn canals, streams, and drainages into refuse dumping sites, despite the availability of civilized waste disposal options provided by the Delta State Waste Management Board and its partners. Such practices negate the government's efforts to tackle flooding.

Residents across the state have a crucial role to play in ensuring that drainages, canals, and waterways remain open and clear. Building on waterways and disposing of trash indiscriminately along major roads, drains, and canal systems must be completely stopped. The most immediate consequence of clogged drains, canals, and waterways is flooding. Water that cannot enter the drain will accumulate on streets and, in severe cases, enter homes and businesses, causing extensive property damage.

Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests, posing significant health risks to the community. Moreover, flooded streets can become hazardous for pedestrians and drivers, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

As we welcome the ember months' rains, let us not forget the crucial role that drains, canals, and waterways play in our ecosystem. By prioritizing the sustainable maintenance of these vital systems, we can collectively mitigate the risk of flooding, safeguard our properties, and ensure the health and safety of all Deltans. 

It is only in doing this, that we would be complementing Governor Oborevwori’s efforts of a flood free Delta.

Governor Oborevwori's administration, through DESOPADEC and other agencies, continues to play a pivotal role in flood prevention, demonstrating that with adequate preparation and community cooperation, the devastating effects of floods can be significantly reduced in Delta State.

The Author, Elohor Foghola, is a staff of the Delta State Ministry of Information and Public Relations Officer, Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, DESOPADEC.

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