THE Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has called for collaborative efforts to mitigate the effects of perennial flooding in Ika Land.
The member representing Ika ethnic nationality on the board of DESOPADEC, Hon. Mrs. Cordelia Anyangwu made the call when she visited the Chairman of Ika South Local Government during an inspection tour of ongoing dredging/clearing projects by DESOPADEC in Agbor.
She said in the course of opening the canal and clearing the drainages, they observed some irregularities which she listed as “residents dump waste indiscriminately into drainages, discharge points where water runs into which had been blocked by silts and grasses, needs to be opened and the dumping site along the Benin-Sapele road is not maintained.”
Hon. Anyangwu further said that it was the collective responsibility of the local government and DESOPADEC to sensitize the people to ensure that waste was properly disposed to prevent flooding in the state
Responding, the Chairman of Ika South Local Government, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, thanked the Board of DESOPADEC for their intervention in Ika, stating that, “I have seen the wonderful work you are doing in Ika Nation, and I must commend your efforts in ensuring that our people are factored in your development agenda. I must say that DESOPADEC is doing well.”
The Chairman emphasised the need for the local government to join the commission in tackling the menace of indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially in the drainages, adding that the attitude had contributed to the uncleanliness of some parts of the local government area.
He said the local government had put measures in place against those who litter the environment, revealing that committees had been set up to carry out the assignment.
