The Delta government has advised residents of flood- prone areas in the state to relocate temporarily to upper lands for safety of lives and property as government tackles flood.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Chris Onogba made the remark on Tuesday in Igbodo, Ika North East LGA of the state, while on an inspection tour of the community.
Onogba led the Permanent Secretary, Mr Precious Anuku, and other officials of the Ministry to Igbodo to asses some flooded areas in the community,
He reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling flooding in the state by adopting proactive measures.
He maintained that Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration would not relent in ensuring that incidences of flooding in the state were tackled abruptly.
Onogba said that reported incidences of flooding had been a major problem to various communities in the state and the nation in general.
He said that flooding usually occured whenever the rivers overflew their banks.
The commissioner, therefore, called on residents of riverine areas not to build on natural waterways so as to ensure free flow of water in the drainage systems.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner, during the inspection tour, visited the royal father of the community, HRM Ikechukwu Osedume, the Obi of Igbodo.
In his remark, the Obi informed the commissioner of the pain his people had endured over losses occasioned by flooding.
He posited that the pains of his people had become the pains of the government, whose responsibility it was to protect lives and property of the citizens.
The royal father disclosed that he had in his own measure, sought the intervention of rainmakers to help hold down downpour over the past one week.
He appealled to the state government to help restore calmness and peace in the affected areas.
