Delta Gov Urges FG to Build Dams to Tackle Ravaging Flood
FLOOD
• Links devastating flood to opening of dams by neighbouring countries
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday called on the federal government to build new dams as well as desilt many rivers as part of the efforts to tackle flooding in many parts of the country.
Okowa said this has become necessary as many neighbouring countries have opened their dams which contributed in the flooding.
Speaking when he visited flood victims in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in his state, Okowa also said the government needs to desilt River Niger and River Benue to deepen the depths of the rivers as a way of accommodating high volume of floodwater.
He told newsmen that the best way to tackle the flood issue was to be proactive in checking continuous flooding caused as asresult neighbouring countries opening their dams.
Okowa visited victims of the flood in his state at Ogbe-Afor Primary School, Oneh Primary School in Asaba, Ewulu Mixed Grammar School, Ewulu, in Aniocha South Local Government Area where he commiserated with families.
He said that 11 holding camps have been set up, adding however that it was necessary to maker daily feed in the IDPs a priority.
He told newsmen, “I was informed by the SSG, when the team briefed me yesterday, that as a result of the flood, five deaths were recorded, although not inside the camps but across the state, and that is very unfortunate.
“We have 11 camps that are currently in place and some of them are in schools and some others are in high places in some locations where the schools have been overrun by the flood water.
“Climate change, obviously, is becoming very impactful globally and it is beginning to affect a lot of issues. The sea levels are rising and so is the water level.
“Another issue is the dam in Cameroon. It always causes a major overflow in our river. From the preliminary information I have, what could be done is to build our own holding dams here in Nigeria and a regular desilting of our rivers.
“And that is not going to be the state government’s function. It is that of the federal government because of the type of dam that will be built across the river. So, it is going to be a major dam.
“So, I believe that it is important that the federal government will look into it very quickly and begin to start the process.”
On the building of dam, he said, “When we look at the pains that come to our people cumulatively as a result of the flood and the destruction it brings, it is so huge and runs into several billions.
“So, I think that it is something that the federal government would consider building a dam across River Niger to prevent this from happening and I believe that the PDP government under the watch of Atiku will truly take that as a priority.
“We are immediately taking care of the people in the camp, which is the first thing to do, by providing food, security and healthcare for them here.
“They have been organised into groups and they are cooking for themselves and we ensure that there is regular supply of food items to cook. So, we are sure that they are not suffering from any form of hunger.
“We can see doctors and nurses here, living under the same conditions as the IDPs, just to provide health care. In two of the camps, some pregnant women have already been delivered by the medical personnel.
“You can see that they are well taken care of. In previous years, after their return to their homes, we have always provided some form of assistance and we will also do so this year. We are always compassionate.”
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday called on the federal government to build new dams as well as desilt many rivers as part of the efforts to tackle flooding in many parts of the country.
Okowa said this has become necessary as many neighbouring countries have opened their dams which contributed in the flooding.
Speaking when he visited flood victims in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in his state, Okowa also said the government needs to desilt River Niger and River Benue to deepen the depths of the rivers as a way of accommodating high volume of floodwater.
He told newsmen that the best way to tackle the flood issue was to be proactive in checking continuous flooding caused as asresult neighbouring countries opening their dams.
Okowa visited victims of the flood in his state at Ogbe-Afor Primary School, Oneh Primary School in Asaba, Ewulu Mixed Grammar School, Ewulu, in Aniocha South Local Government Area where he commiserated with families.
He said that 11 holding camps have been set up, adding however that it was necessary to maker daily feed in the IDPs a priority.
He told newsmen, “I was informed by the SSG, when the team briefed me yesterday, that as a result of the flood, five deaths were recorded, although not inside the camps but across the state, and that is very unfortunate.
“We have 11 camps that are currently in place and some of them are in schools and some others are in high places in some locations where the schools have been overrun by the flood water.
“Climate change, obviously, is becoming very impactful globally and it is beginning to affect a lot of issues. The sea levels are rising and so is the water level.
“Another issue is the dam in Cameroon. It always causes a major overflow in our river. From the preliminary information I have, what could be done is to build our own holding dams here in Nigeria and a regular desilting of our rivers.
“And that is not going to be the state government’s function. It is that of the federal government because of the type of dam that will be built across the river. So, it is going to be a major dam.
“So, I believe that it is important that the federal government will look into it very quickly and begin to start the process.”
On the building of dam, he said, “When we look at the pains that come to our people cumulatively as a result of the flood and the destruction it brings, it is so huge and runs into several billions.
“So, I think that it is something that the federal government would consider building a dam across River Niger to prevent this from happening and I believe that the PDP government under the watch of Atiku will truly take that as a priority.
“We are immediately taking care of the people in the camp, which is the first thing to do, by providing food, security and healthcare for them here.
“They have been organised into groups and they are cooking for themselves and we ensure that there is regular supply of food items to cook. So, we are sure that they are not suffering from any form of hunger.
“We can see doctors and nurses here, living under the same conditions as the IDPs, just to provide health care. In two of the camps, some pregnant women have already been delivered by the medical personnel.
“You can see that they are well taken care of. In previous years, after their return to their homes, we have always provided some form of assistance and we will also do so this year. We are always compassionate.”
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