Flooding: Delta Govt vows to demolish buildings on water channels

Delta State Government has threatened to demolish buildings and other illegal structures erected on water channels.

Delta State Director-General, Special Duties, Chief Frank Omare stated this while inspecting some of the structures posing obstacles to the ongoing construction of the Storm Water Project, being executed by the State government in the Warri and Uvwie areas.

Omare advised owners of buildings blocking water channels in Warri, Uvwie, Udu, Sapele, Ughelli and other parts of the State to quickly relocate as there would be no formal notice before bulldozers move in to bring the illegal structures down.

He vowed that he would not succumb to blackmail in carrying out his duty.

The Director-General asked those with genuine documents of approval for their buildings to paste them on the buildings, and forward same to his office for verification with the appropriate authorities.

Omare explained that owners of buildings with genuine approvals would be compensated, stressing that the challenges of flooding in Warri and its environs have been very devastating.

“We must get it right to address flooding menace in Warri, Uvwie, Udu and all other parts of the state.

“Governor Oborevwori’s vision for New Warri cannot be achieved with the present state of unapproved structures blocking the water channels which remains the major cause of flooding in the locality.

“We hope for maximum cooperation from owners of these structures in addressing the problem. This is not time for sentiment or blackmail.

“The reality on ground requires immediate attention and I have been given the mandate to execute and the work has since started.

“Sensitization is key, hence our going round to identify the illegal structures and speak to their owners”, Omare said.

The last time a major step was taken by the State government to decisively deal with the flood menace in Warri and other parts of the State was in the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, with Omare as the Commissioner for Environment.

Now under the incumbent administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Omare is again saddled, among others, with the responsibility of opening up natural water channels that have been blocked over the years.

At Ugboroke Layout, a private storey-building and a church on Nemejor Street and Auntie Rose Street, respectively, were among the structures to be pulled down.

On the NNPC Housing Complex road, some buildings under construction on a water channel around a new Estate were also identified for demolition.

At the Ekpan Roundabout, a storey-building constructed not quite long, but sitting on a channel from which other drains in the area discharge water to the Ekpan River, was marked for demolition.

Omare equally ordered those who converted part of the water channel to a wood market in the area, to vacate the place or risk their materials being destroyed.

Omare and his team also inspected some water channels at Uti Street and Okoribi in Alegbo area of Effurun, where he said he would be very firm in the discharge of his duty, warning that nobody would be above the law.