Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment has created New canals in Isoko South and North Local Government Areas as part of measures to curb flooding in both council areas.
Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonorgor on Monday inspected the newly created canals in the company of the commissioner representing Isoko Ethnic Nationality on the Board of DESOPADEC, Hon Victor Egbo Okemena, the Director of Sanitation and Waste Management, Ministry of Environment, Mrs Fransica Antiga ,Immediate Past SA to former Gov Okowa on Political matters Comrade Kingsley Iweka and other top officials of the commission and the ministry.
Some communities in Isoko South and North Local Government Areas for the past decades have been affected by flooding.
The Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonorgor while addressing newsmen shortly after inspecting the newly created canals said that the idea was to save part of the Ozoro-Asaba road from destruction by flooding, noting that the life span of the road would now be extended.
He added that the new canals will also curb flooding of houses and farms in the area in the council areas.
While commending staff of DESOPADEC and ministry of Environment for job well done, Chief Ochonogor said the people of the area would heave a sigh of relief with the creation of the canals.
He commended the state Governor Oborevwori for providing funds to the agency in the area of flood control across the state.
Chief Ochonogor advised the people of Ellu and Ozoro communities in Isoko North local government area and Oleh as well as other communities in Isoko South local government area to desist from dumping refuse in canals to allow for free flow of water particularly when it rains.
For their part, the commissioner representing Isoko Nationality on the Board of DESOPADEC, Hon Victor Egbo Okemena and the Director of Sanitation and waste management in the ministry of Environment Mrs Francisca Antiga said they have been working for the past two weeks to deal the flooding challenges in parts of Isoko south and North local government areas.
The vice chairman of Isoko North local Government Area Hon Frank Ozue commended DESOPADEC and the ministry of Environment for creating the new canals adding that since the creation of the canals there is free flow of water from Ozoro to Ellu and neighbouring communities .
He appealed to the Managing Director of DESOPADEC to approve the opening of a blocked canal at Eterigwe junction in Ozoro community .
Hon Ozue also appealed to the interventionist Agency and the ministry of Environment to help in the maintenance of the canal.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ellu community Mr Nathiel Nkpodhero has thanked Delta state government for creating the canals as the community will now be free from flooding.
It would be recalled
Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori had after his swearing in as Governor of Delta State directed the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, and the Ministry of Environment to ensure that the state is flood free.
