As part of measures to mitigate the effect of impending flood as warned by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, Delta State Government has commenced the opening of major canals in Warri, Uvwie, Udu, Sapele, Ughelli and other towns in the State.
Media Talk Africa learnt that this is to allow free flow of water into rivers.
NIMET had predicted that there would be serious flooding in some coastal states of the federation this year.
The Director-General, Special Duties, Government House, Asaba, Frank Omare monitored the clearing of the canals.
The clearing started from Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, down to Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta.
In a chat with newsmen, Omare noted that the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led Delta State Government was determined to do everything within his powers to ensure that flooding is controlled in the State.
He said that by next week, the government is going to embark on demolition of all illegal structures blocking waterways in the State.
He warned that no amount of plea from anybody, no matter how highly placed, will stop the demolition exercise.
He added that the government was not out to witch-hunt anybody.
“The ministry of urban renewal, their officials are on ground, the ministry of justice, their officials are on ground, and if we find out that some of these buildings were actually approved, then we will refer them to Asaba and they will be adequately compensated because we don’t want to illegally solve an illegal problem. We must do everything within the law.
“So nobody should be scared, but if you know that your building is on top of our waters, please go and remove it.
“We are not going to witch-hunt anybody. The Urban and Regional Planning officials are going round and they will be the ones to mark any building for demolition.
“Deltans should not be scared because we are not going to do anything outside the law. But please nobody is allowed to call Frank Omare or the Governor to look the other side. We are going to get it right and we are going to get it done.
“So we expect that as residents of a community when you see somebody building on top of the canals, you politely tell the person that what they are doing is wrong. But for us, we will not relent until we have a better environment in Delta State,” Omare added.
