**Delta Govt Cautions Residents on Responsiveness in Combating Flood, Bemoans Indiscriminate Dumping of Waste in Drains** ~ Truth Reporters

By Andy Emephia

Worried by the unhealthy practice of indiscriminate dumping of refuse by some residents in the state , the Delta State government has cautioned offenders to have a rethink

Equally , the state government has frowned at such activities which ultimately tend to undermine the carrying capacity of the drains which were built to evacuate flood water

Briefing newsmen in Asaba , the Delta Commissioner for Works ( Rural and Riverine Roads ) and Public information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, therefore urged residents, stakeholders and organizations to take collective and proactive measures in mitigating the impact of natural disasters

Aniagwu urged residents to adopt environmentally friendly practices, adhere to safety guidelines , and work together in ensuring that flood related incidents attract minimal losses

The Commissioner, who was reacting to the torrential rain and flood erosion that ravaged the Old Lagos-Agbor road in Boji-Boji Agbor , lka South local government area , sued for a collective positive action against natural disasters

While urging residents to adopt environmentally friendly practices, adhere to safety guidelines , the Commissioner disclosed that the plethora of storm drainages already completed and others ongoing, is a testament to the Governor Oborevwori administration,s determination to reduce to the barest minimum , the negative devastating effect of flooding in the state

Said Aniagwu :" Not long ago, you accompanied the Governor to inspect the storm drain across the Ogbeogonogo market which is one of the eight phases of the outcome of a study that was carried out by the previous administration. You are aware of the efforts to compete the storm drainage in the Owa-Alero axis , the one we are currently building at the Osubi, Okuokoko, Ugolo-Okpe and Warri axis, in addition to the many side drains that we are building along the roads that we are constructing"

While sympathizing with those whose motorcycles and cars were either destroyed or swept away by the flood, Aniagwu, said flood is a natural disaster which even occurred in Dubai and Spain in April and November last year respectively

The Commissioner lamented that though the drains are big enough to accommodate the accompanying flood , they have however , because of the tributaries that feed into them , the bigger drains have been seriously undermined by the indiscriminate dumping of refuse from the tributaries

He therefore said government , through the Ministry of Environment , will soon roll out punitive measures against defaulters , to serve as deterrent