Buildings on water channels, indiscriminate refuse dump caused flooding in Asaba —Investigation

Buildings on water channels and blockage of drainages have been identified as the major causes of flood in Asaba, Delta state capital.

Investigation by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that politicians, senior government officials and top business men have undermined the Asaba master plan by erecting structures on water ways at reckless abandon. Areas mostly affected are back of NTA, DLA, Okpanam road, Ibori Golf club,, Umuagu-Zippa, Marble Hill, Eagle Square, back of Cenotaph among others.

The investigation further revealed that the newly created Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency has however, started a gradual implementation of the master plan 26 years after the state was created.

The implementation among others is to identify structures that are in wrong places which are likely to be pulled down.

The Director General of the agency, Chief Clement Ofuani, noted the bastardisation of the plan as previous administration did not do much to actualise it , adding that as a result buildings were springing up indiscriminately without recourse to designated water ways, parks etc.

Last week, there was heavy rainfall which wrecked havoc in the state capital as fences of Government House, old secretariat and others were pulled down, fish farms at Anwai were over run, while residential and offices counted their losses.

Following the level of devastation, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and their state counterpart toured the areas  to take stock of the damages.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr John Nani, disclosed that the state government had started to dredge the Anwai river so as to enable it carry the huge flood into it to the River Niger.

According to him, the various ongoing drainage construction works especially the ones at DLA, and Okpanam road were aimed at channelling the flood into River Niger while another option to take the flood away through Iyi Abi River was on the way.

In an interview, the commissioner also condemned the attitude of residents in the state capital who dumped their wastes indiscriminately into gutters or drainage which in turn blocked the flow of water.