By Fred Edoreh
Perhaps in the cacophony of the disinformation of the political season and perhaps also unaware of the groundworks that were being laid, there were assumptions that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa paid greater attention to the development of Asaba, the state capital, and overlooked Warri, the otherwise largest, industrial and oil city of Delta State, but nothing can be farther from the truth.
Indeed, there has been tremendous development in Asaba, still ongoing, under Okowa, especially on roads and various critical infrastructure, such that Asaba residents may have forgotten the huge flooding they suffered with any little rain and how frequently their roads collapsed, before Gov Okowa instituted a study of the problem and it was found that the capital city was in the middle of a valley which made it more like a water pot.
While Okpanam, for instance, is at about 187 metres above sea level, the centre point of Asaba is at 44. This meant that all rain waters from the environs drained down to the state capital, overwhelming the asphalt and bitumen to constantly destroy the roads.
Understanding that, Okowa had to first embark on the construction of the Asaba Storm Drainage System, to channel water away from various parts of the town. With that done, it now became safe to reconstruct roads and drainages in a more sustainable manner.
Warri also stands at the same sea level as Asaba and, as has been experienced, is prone to flooding which not only inconvenienced the people but frequently negated efforts of the previous administrations in providing roads and safeguarding houses.
In order not to keep fetching water into a basket, Okowa also decided that road construction in Warri will better be done after a similar storm drainage like was done in Asaba has also been done in Warri.
The beginning point was to establish the Warri, Uvwie and Environs Development Agency (WUEDA), then to properly study the topography of Warri and Effurun, after which a proper mapping of the metropolis was done to produce a master plan for flood control.
The second phase of the redevelopment was the award of contracts for the construction of storm drainage systems. There contracts were awarded to Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) and Levant Construction Company, respectively.
Works on the initial project for Uvwie and Warri awarded in January 2020 was however stalled by the global lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. At resumption too, the work sites on the storm drainage increased from initial 61 to 76. This also led to corresponding increase of the contract value by N4.5 billion from the original sum of N9.5 billion to each of the contractors, finally standing the cost at N14 billion each, making N28 billion in total.
“The cost of the drainage project can scare anyone but my government is focused and we do not want to build roads that will fail. I want to build a lasting foundation such that after the drainage, we can build roads that can last. In the area where we have already worked on, the people are very happy because there is no more flooding,” Governor Okowa had said during an inspection visit to the project sites.
The project involves the clearing of canals, natural waterways and drains as well as the construction of huge underground tunnels, smaller drainages and culverts to channel flood water into the Warri River. It also involves the relocation of electric poles, utilities and structures, underground pipes and network cables.
It was also observed that there have been incursions along the natural waterways over the years as many people undermined the town planning structure of Warri and erected structures and buildings on the waterways. These have to be corrected.
In executing the project, the contracting firms were urged not to employ outsiders for jobs that community youths can easily do. As the project progressed, more communities were engaged while those that had been used were disengaged.
“What we are doing is laying the foundation for road construction in Warri as part of the integrated development of the state. With the flood control project, when fully completed, no volume of water can threaten Effurun, Ekpan, Warri and the environs anymore. Plus, we are sure our roads in the metropolis will last,” a government official explained.
The project sites include Ugbolokposo, Alegbo, Uti, Apala, NPA Expressway, Edjeba, Third Marine Gate, Esisi Road and Igbudu Primary School in Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas.
Other sites are in Ugbuwangue Community, Ekpan, Mabiaku Street, Commissioner Road, Aghoghovbia Road and the adjoining Arigbe Street which are always bedeviled by flood during the rainy seasons.
Most parts of the drainage system, same as in Asaba, are underground or off major commuter routes and so, not visible everyday sights.
The stormwater project links from the DSC Roundabout down to Uti Street linking to PTI Road on one hand, down to Jakpa Junction linking Effurun Roundabout up to Enerhen Junction and washing down into the Warri River.
The project also links from Refinery Road down to Ekpan and to Complex linking down to Airport Road and joining Effurun Roundabout up to Enerhen Junction and Airport Road Junction.
There are four different storm drainage project phases to be achieved to fully drain Warri of the flood water. The Okowa administration has taken on the first two major ones in Warri South and Uvwie.
“The other two are smaller drainage projects. Once we have solved the drainage challenge, it becomes much easier to construct more roads,” Governor Okowa told journalists recently.
This also means that smaller drainages in the inner city will come up to flow into the storm drainages as the inner roads are being reconstructed.
Indeed, as a result of the appreciable work done so far, the government was confident to award the contract for a total reconstruction of Warri Township Stadium which is often flooded with any little downpour due to poor drain off system.
So far, about 80% of the Uvwie and Warri Storm Water Drainage project has been achieved and the incoming Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has said he will not wait for the remaining 20% to be completed before he opens works on the planned reconstruction of roads in Warri, Uvwie and environs and the general redevelopment of the Warri and Uvwie metropolis.
All indication is that Warri is sure to shine again in the incoming administration. Development is an evolutionary and deliberately planned process and it will sure be a testament in government as a continuum, in which Okowa planted and Sheriff will water and nurture.
(Adapted from Newsguru, May 1, 2023)
