Delta State Government on Thursday expressed sympathy for victims of Wednesday’s downpour in Agbor, Ika axis, which caused flooding, damaged property and swept vehicles and motorcycles off major roads.

The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, at a news conference on Thursday on Asaba sympathised with the victims.

He emphasised the need for a statewide proactive approach to tackling environmental disasters.

He noted that natural disasters could occur at any time, citing recent flooding in Dubai and Spain, and urged residents to properly dispose of waste rather than dumping it in waterways.

“Nobody plays politics with natural disasters. Flooding happens even in advanced countries, as we have seen in Dubai and Spain, where rains swept away homes, vehicles, and other properties,” Mr Aniagwu stated.

He dismissed attempts to misrepresent the Agbor flooding incident, explaining that the disaster was largely due to blocked drainage systems caused by indiscriminate waste disposal.

“The flooding in Ika was worsened because residents have consistently undermined the carrying capacity of drainage channels by dumping refuse into them, obstructing the free flow of water,” he said.

Mr Aniagwu further explained that rapid urban development had contributed to flooding, as rainwater collected on rooftops gained force and washed debris into drains, blocking water channels.

He noted that the state government had been constructing storm drainages where necessary.

The commissioner, however, assured that efforts were ongoing to ensure the free flow of rainwater through continuous drainage desilting.

“The responsibility is not just on the government; residents must also play their part by avoiding indiscriminate waste disposal to prevent a recurrence of such disasters,” he advised. 

He stressed that the existing drainage systems in Agbor were designed to handle floodwaters but had been overwhelmed due to blockages.

Mr Aniagwu said, “The rainfall was quite intense, and while flooding incidents like this can occur occasionally, the drains in Agbor are large enough to manage floodwaters. However, smaller tributary channels that feed into them have been blocked by human activities, forcing water onto the roads.’’

He urged residents to address environmental issues with realism and called for a concerted effort to mitigate natural disasters.

“The time has come for us to face these challenges realistically and take collective action to protect our environment,” he said.

Mr Aniagwu highlighted the government’s proactive measures to combat flooding across the state, including the construction of dual drains along major roads and stormwater drainage systems in Asaba, Warri, and the Ika axis.

He emphasised that climate change was a reality and that no government could be blamed for natural rainfall patterns.

“Before 2017, it took over two hours to drive through Okpanam Road in Asaba after rainfall. Today, thanks to the stormwater drains we’ve constructed, floodwater disappears within 10 minutes,” he noted.

Mr Aniagwu warned that the State Ministry of Environment would take strict action against individuals who continued to dump waste into drainage systems.

(NAN)