The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government will embark on the dredging of Ikpoba River to check the perennial flooding in parts of Benin City.
The governor stated this at the weekend after inspecting some flood-prone areas on Erhahon Street and adjoining areas along Ewah Road and the Edo State Office of INEC affected by the weekend’s downpour.
He appealed to residents to assist the government in addressing the flood menace and take advantage of the toll-free lines, 737 and 112, to report incidents to access emergency responders.
Obaseki also inspected some flooded sections of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport at Isihor, Benin City, and the water retention pond at Abuja Quarters in Ugbor area
He said, “We have made tremendous progress because six years ago the issue of flooding in Edo State, particularly Benin City, was more devastating as there were many areas we couldn’t pass through. Some residents needed to leave their homes.
“A lot of work has been done and lots of success achieved. However, we still have a few areas where more work needs to be done. If you recall, about a decade ago a study was done; the rainstorm master plan was designed, based on which we have been dealing with flooding and erosion control in Edo State and Benin City in particular.
“That plan needs to be updated and we have already commenced the process of procuring the consultancy services to update that plan along with the Benin City Master Plan. To solve the immediate problem which we are dealing with today in these catchment areas, you will see that the main drain here which is the Ikpoba River has become blocked and definitely has to be dredged and desilted.
“If we don’t do that, we would not be able to solve the problem we see at the INEC Office at Ikpoba slope. I have instructed the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability to commence immediate procurement for what is required so that the work on dredging Ikpoba River must commence immediately. We hope that once we do this by next year the inhabitants of Erhahon and Ewah Road will not experience this kind of disaster.”
At the INEC Office in Ikpoba-Hill, Obaseki said, “We can see that the rainfall as predicted by the meteorological services has started torrentially. Last night, we had almost four hours of continuous rainfall in Benin City that caused widespread flooding. “I am appealing to the citizens of Edo State to help the government to prevent the devastating effects of flooding by not blocking the drainage system and also support the government in the efforts to desilt our drains. In cases where flood is overwhelming, call these emergency numbers, 112 or 737 for help as flooding is everybody’s problem.
We are calling on Edo people to help us get through this difficult rainy season.”
