Residents of NTA/Mgbuoba Road in Port Harcourt have renewed calls for the immediate desilting of the drainage system in the area, saying it is crucial for the success of ongoing government efforts to permanently tackle the menace of periodic flooding.
The residents gave the charge while applauding Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his timely intervention and commitment to improving the living conditions of the people.
Many of the residents who spoke to our Correspondent described the project as a welcome relief after years of suffering from flood-induced disruptions, especially during the rainy season.
From Obiri/Ikwerre roundabout to the NTA junction, the usually busy NTA/Mgbuoba Road has become a nightmare for commuters.
One entire carriageway remains blocked to allow for construction activities, resulting in slow-moving traffic that stretches for long hours, particularly during peak periods.
Commercial drivers and residents say the situation has severely affected daily business mobility in the area.
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Mr. Ikechukwu Ndego, a resident with vast experience in road construction, commended the governor for responding to their cries but expressed reservations about the methodology.
“The periodic flooding, caused mainly by blocked underground drainage, could be worsened if the new drainage system is constructed directly on the existing one without proper desilting,” he noted
.
Two other residents, Mr. Chris Ogonna and Mr. Marcus Oyakhire, echoed similar sentiments. They lamented the slow pace of work, which they said has compounded the suffering of road users, and appealed to the state government to ensure stricter supervision to avoid a recurrence of flooding after the project is completed.
In response, the Project Engineer, Mr. Ola Kings, assured residents that the best construction materials are being deployed to deliver a durable solution that will finally put an end to the flooding problem on the road.
Kings, however, appealed to operators of fish farms in the vicinity to drastically reduce the volume of water they discharge into the drainage channels, stressing that the constant inflow is hampering progress on the site.
Work on the project is expected to continue in phases as authorities work towards restoring normalcy to the busy thoroughfare in the next month.
