FLOODING IN PARTS OF YENAGOA: BAYELSA GOVT WARNS LAND DEVELOPERS AGAINST BUILDING ON NATURAL DRAINS
In a clear demonstration of concern over flooding affecting some residents of Yenagoa as a result of ongoing road construction works, the state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah has undertaken an assessment tour of some of the affected parts of the town.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the tour, the Deputy Governor assured the people that government would put palliative measures in place to lessen their sufferings.
While appealing to the affected residents to show understanding and cooperate with government by clearing their drainages to make for free flow of water, Rear Admiral John Jonah assured them that government was doing everything possible to address the problem.
He directed the commissioner for works and infrastructure and other relevant ministries as well as agencies to work closely with the various contractors to create temporary channels to drain out water from the affected areas.
Describing the landform of Yenagoa and its environs as very low, the Deputy Governor observed that though it is difficult to completely prevent flooding in the meantime, the present administration would engage the services of technical experts to carry out relevant baseline studies with a view to constructing major drainages within the town.
Rear Admiral John Jonah however, warned the people to resist the temptation of building on natural drainages, stating that henceforth, government will not hesitate to deal decisively with those who flout the already existing land development and town planning laws.
“The drainage problem has been a persistent one because people build on areas that they are not supposed to. We have seen some channels that people have built across, thereby obstructing the flow of water. It does not encourage sustainable development and so we will do everything we can to put a stop to that within the confines of existing urban and town planning laws.
“Bayelsans should also help us; you don’t need to dump garbage on drainage path because if you do that your house will be flooded. There are areas we have identified that need immediate intervention for water to flow. But we recall that Yenagoa is a very low line area. And so to avoid flooding totally would be a very difficult task but the report on the areas that we should open up has already been submitted. Having seen the areas with the concerned commissioners by myself, I am going to write a memo to the Governor to make sure the areas are opened up as a temporary measure for water to flow. ”
The Deputy Governor, who visited Azikoro, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN/Osiri in Ekeki, Isaac Boro roads was accompanied by the Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, Capital City Development, Mr. Zuwa Konugah, Information and Orientation, Markson Fefegha, Lands and Survey, Furoebi Akene and Special Projects, Fred Obuah.
Others are, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Anapurere Awoli, Chief of Staff Government House, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha and Executive Secretary of Capital City Development Authority, Chief Iboro Ige-Idaba.
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