Yearly desilting now critical to save Sapele from Flood-Egbedi

The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, on  Monday June 22, 2026 began its annual desilting exercise in Sapele to tackle recurring flooding in the town.

Inspecting the ongoing work, the Member representing Sapele, Ethiope West and Okpe on the DESOPADEC Board, Chief Julius Egbedi said the exercise has become a yearly ritual to prevent residents from fleeing their homes during heavy rains.

“It has become a yearly ritual that we must clear drains, or else when the flood will come, people will run away from their houses. So this year again, we are on it, clearing the drains,” he said.

Chief Egbedi who visited several sites, disclosed that workers were opening up blocked drains and canals across flood-prone areas and that areas found to be clogged would be cleared before the end of the exercise, including a planned revisit to New Road by Amukpe. 

Inspecting the work at Owumi Road, a swamp buggy was seen clearing debris from the canal the previous day. The machine was working its way from Omimiedi to the opposite side of the canal to remove accumulated silt and waste that had long impeded water flow. 

“Wherever we discover a blocked spot, we will also go there and open it before this exercise is over,” Chief Egbedi stated.

The Member appealed to residents to stop dumping refuse in drains and waterways, calling it unhealthy and a drain on development funds. 

“Money assigned for other development is used to clear drains year in and year out. I'm urging Sapele residents to register with private waste disposal agencies so we could at least, have less problems clearing drains when the rains come,” he added 

The exercise in Sapele commenced at Awolowo Junction, Okpe Road, before moving to Akintola Road where both sides of the drains were cleared. 

Residents told DESOPADEC Media they had waited for the intervention, noting that past desilting by the Local Government had brought relief.

Supervisory Councilor on Environment, Sapele LGA, Hon. Kingsley Sadjere who monitored the work, commended the synergy between DESOPADEC, the State Government, and Council Chairman, Hon. Bright Abeke, noting that a pipe obstructing water flow at Akintola was removed during the exercise, easing the water flow in the drainage. 

He thus, appealed for similar intervention at Amukpe Road by the market where a pipe also blocks the drain.

A shop owner on Akintola Road, Dr. Mrs. Esther Ogude, recalled how flooding around Omarin Primary School and the Anglican Church area forced teachers to carry pupils across water. 

“Flooding is a major challenge in this area. I’m grateful to Governor Oborevwori and DESOPADEC for the intervention,” she said.

Miss Tejiri Japan, a tailor in the area said heavily silted gutters had long impeded water flow and caused flooding and expressed optimism that the cleared drains would allow free flow of water. She thus, thanked DESOPADEC for the rescue.

The desilting exercise also continued today at Aka Avenue canal, where the swamp buggy on ground was seen pushing clearing work further to pave way for a better and lasting result. 

Meanwhile, in Ughelli North LGA, work is also ongoing at Agbarha. Supervisory Councilor on Environment, Hon. Lucky Oborayeruvwe who spoke with DESOPADEC Media reporter, said the area had suffered flooding for two decades, especially around Agbarha market and Primary School. He thanked the State Government, DESOPADEC and Hon. Jaro Egbo, noting the exercise started from the Primary School area and will extend to the Omavowve discharge point. He however, appealed for time to reach the endpoint.

Hon. Peace Omoefe and Engr. Safety Arebor of Agbarha Arise, while also speaking with DESOPADEC Media reporter said the community had long solicited this intervention. 

“We are happy that this came to pass in Governor Sheriff’s administration. After the exercise, flooding will be a thing of the past in Agbarha Kingdom,” they said. 

They thus, pledged to curb indiscriminate dumping of refuse and support Governor Oborevwori.

By Evelyn Obibi -Assay 

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