A call for urgent drainage desilting has gain momentum in Rivers State local government areas as community leaders and civic groups tasked Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other relevant agencies to lead a coordinated desilting programme aimed at curbing perennial flooding and shoreline erosion threatening the state.
The appeal followed renewed heavy rains that exposed the poor drainages and waste management condition across the coastal communities of the state.
A stakeholder and medical consultant in the Rives State, Dr Ngozi Toby argued that without immediate desilting, and shoreline protection works, most homes, markets, and connecting roads could face severe damage before the next tidal cycle.
Speaking with Our Correspondent recently in Port-Harcourt on the menace of flooding across some Rivers communities, Dr Toby pleaded with the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to initiate a ‘ Lead Drainage Desilting To Combat Flood Task Force in partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Works, Environment, NDDC, and other relevant community Chiefs’.
“Residents cannot wait for another flood season. The drains are blocked, canals, are silted, and waste continues to choke outflows into the river. I urge Governor Siminalayi Fubara to make desilting his top environmental priority,” said Dr Toby.
Toby said that flooding in coastal communities in the state, like Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Opobo/Nkoro, Eleme, Ogu/Bolo, Abia/Odual, Okrika, Andoni, Oyigbo, Khana and Gokana, among other Local Government Areas in the state must be addressed.
She maintained that Governor Fubara’s administration, which initiated several roads and community development projects, should do the needful in this regards, but stressed that sustainable infrastructure begins with effective water evacuation channels.
She also commended the state government’s earlier intervention in market clean- ups, and called for the adoption of a quarterly desilting time-table.
Toby said that flooding in coastal communities like these flood- prowned local communities is worsened by poor waste disposal, lack of storm water design in older neighborhoods, and long neglect of primary canals, noting that, ” When silts accumulate, drains overflow, forcing storm water into streets and compounds.
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She noted that in the towns proximity to the Atlantic coast and its riverine settlements make shoreline protection and sand- filling essential.
If under checked, Dr Ngozi Toby said, rising tide could wash away key access roads, such as, Minimah- Nkoro, in Opobo/Nkoro; Rumuodamaya, in Obio/ Akpor; Bori, Kono; Kpor, Bodo City, in Gokana; Ngo, Asarama, Oyorokoto, in Andoni, among other LGAs, including damaged bridges in these coastal areas of the state.
Dr Ngozi Toby, however, recommended a three-tier desilting and protection plan, including, the clearing of all blocked canals, and major drains within the Local Government headquarters and market zones; organized mechanized desilting of primary outfalls, backed by shoreline reinforcement and community awareness campaigns; adopt a drainage master plan for the entire state basin with proper budgetary, community monitoring, and annual maintenance reviews, and to ensure accountability.
Dr Toby called for public disclosure of desilting contracts, transparent budgeting, and local labour engagement.
Meanwhile, sources at the Government House, in Port Harcourt, who confided in Our Correspondent, and on condition of anonymity, indicate that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, and other stakeholders in the environmental sector, will vehemently review effectively environmental intervention projects, and may collaborate with the Federal Government for technical support.
“We are committed to cleaner, safer Rivers State. Desilting, waste enforcement, and shoreline projects are top on the state government agenda, a senior official confirmed.
However, traditional rulers, youth groups, women organizations, religious bodies, and other concerned citizens, have also admonished Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC), Rivers Local Government Chairmen, and other environmental stakeholders, to swing into action by proffering lasting solutions to the scourge of flooding in the state, in order to save residents from its messier posture.
They pledged to back up every move made by both the state government (NDDC), Chairmen of Councils, among other stakeholders, through community mobilization and monitoring.
Some residents expressed optimism that visible desilting works could help to prevent repeated flooding that previously destroyed household properties in the state.
Dr Raymond Minimah, a seasoned environmentalist, lamented that Every time rainfalls, homes, stalls, markets, churches, and other places of interest get flooded.
“We only want the drains cleared; that will save our goods and homes”.
Others appealed for a long-term shoreline protection plan linking desilting works with state- level flood control efforts.
