Task Force Combats Flood In Rivers

The Rivers State Flood Control Management Committee, has begun the removal of waste dumps on river carnals and other flood prone areas in the Port Harcourt City.

Investigation shows that some of the areas where waste dumps are being removed include the river carnal on the Eastern By-pass  and other flood prone areas.

Some residents interviewed said their fears had been allayed having seen the task force removing waste indiscriminately dumped by refuse contractors.

Another resident, Mr. Okey Amadi explained that before now the road to Ogbnabali from Eastern Bye-Pass was taken over by refuse.

He commended the state government for establishing the flood management committee, which according to him, had helped to check flood in the area during the rainy season.

However, he appealed to the State Environmental Sanitation Authority to caution its refuse contractors that create dump sites at unauthorised places in the area. When contacted, the Chairman of the State Environmental Sanitation Authority confirmed that for now, there were no dump sites, as the authority had continued to use burrowed pits many of which were filled.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Nyema Weli has called on residents to stop the dumping of waste into drainages constructed by the government to check flooding during raining season in the state.