DESOPADEC Opens More Canals, Drains

Delta may not be seeing heavy rains yet, but DESOPADEC is not waiting. For weeks, a massive de-silting exercise has been going on across the Commission’s mandate areas. 

Crews have moved from clearing blocked drains to opening choked water channels and where debris has been cleared, evacuation of waste is now in full gear.

At Sapele, Friday 25th June, the exercise was in full swing across multiple streets. On Akintola Road at Okpe Road, waste cleared from drains was evacuated as pay loaders and trucks worked tirelessly. Hired artisans were also on Izu Road, clearing drains on both sides of the street to restore free flow of water. 

The work moved to Lawrence Road where drains on both sides were cleaned as well. At New Ogorode Road, a DESOPADEC Media reporter observed that a swamp buggy was deployed to clear a heavily silted section of the canal before moving to the opposite side for more work.

A resident at Izu Road, Mrs. Marian Umudjane, commended DESOPADEC for the exercise, saying the area would be free from mosquitoes and the stench that had plagued the environment. 

Speaking specifically on the work at Akintola Road on Okpe Road, especially around the Anglican Church, she said residents there had suffered flooding for years. 

"I want to commend DESOPADEC for this exercise taking place here in Sapele. For the past few days, I have been seeing the artisans clearing drains in the environment. I'm particularly happy with the one done at Okpe Road by the Anglican Church. Those people were really going through a lot from flooding in that area. They will be eternally grateful to DESOPADEC for coming to their rescue," she said.

Mrs. Umudjane also commended Mrs. Franciscan Atigan, the supervisor from the Delta State Ministry of Environment overseeing the exercise for her efforts on ground. She appealed for the work to be extended to the street behind Lawrence Road, Okpalumeh to allow freer flow and prevent flooding.

Also speaking, a business owner at Lawrence Road, Elder Patrick Uwaletan said it was the first time since the drains were constructed in 2019 that they were being cleaned. 

He thanked the State Government and DESOPADEC for the exercise and appealed that it be made continuous.

The push follows instructions from Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and NIMET’s warning on floods in Delta State this year. DESOPADEC is moving ahead of the rains.

The goal is simple: keep water moving now before it becomes a problem later. Work has already been carried out in Ndokwa East and West, Ika North and South, Ughelli North and South, Uvwie, Sapele and Ethiope West while Isoko North and South are next in view.

By Evelyn Obibi- Assay

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