SEQUEL to the continuous rainfall in the state, the Bayelsa State government has unfolded plans to checkmate incessant flooding in some parts of the state capital, Yenagoa and warned residents over poor refuse disposal habit that has blocked several water channels into designated drains, as well as the act of erecting structures on canals resulting in flooding experience in the state.
Giving the warning to resident and developers in Yenagoa, The Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt Hon Talford Ongolo, who led other top government functionaries including state Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Hon Jonathan Obuebite, Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Mr Lawrence Ehwrujakpor, Commissioner for Environment, Mr Williams Alamini, regretted damage and loss that the perennial flooding has caused residents in the state.
Ongolo, said he decided to lead government team on an on the spot assessment so that government would have a firsthand knowledge of areas being ravaged by flood, to enable her proffer solution to alleviate the plight of the people.
“Government is deeply concerned over the issue of flood as recorded in some parts of the state and I assure you that the Dickson led Restoration Government is commitment to put an end to it,” Ongolo said.
The governor, according to him has set up an inter-ministerial committee to look into the issue and proffer a lasting solution, stressing that other government agencies have also commenced work on the clearing of drainage for free flow of water into the central canal in parts of the state capital, Yenagoa.
He, therefore, called for the collaborative efforts of the people of the towards a new culture of rightly disposing liquid and solid waste, and the need to obtain approval from the capital city development authority to avoid possibility of building on water right of way in the state.
Also, the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Lawrence Ehwrujakpo said the government will adopt a short term measure of clearing the drainage and channeling it to a particular point.
However, he warned that any resident caught violating the state environmental law will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“This malaise has remained with us, except residents turn a new leaf and desist from building houses on canals thereby allowing free flow of water in the natural channels, only then can we win the fight over incessant flooding in parts of the state,” Ehwrujakpo said.
He, however, noted that henceforth government would not hesitate to demolish houses that are blocking the canals.
To this end, the Commissioner for Works, urged residents to heed instruction, follow laid down rules and regulations before putting up structures, adding that it was in their interest to do so, as defaulters would later tag government as being insensitive when the demolition commences.
and then