Some residents of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, have renewed their call on the state government to tackle the menace of flooding in the city.
Observers of event reports that Port Harcourt is bedevilled by the challenge of perennial flooding.
Speaking on the issue, a Port Harcourt-based transporter, Mr. Amenji Biobele, urged the government to re-double its efforts to ensure that the city was free of flooding.
Mr. Francis Dokubo, who resides in a flood-prone area of the city, said that the problem was caused by the blockage of most of the water channels.
Dokubo advised the state government to carry out a study on the various shanties and create water drainage systems.
An environmentalist, Mr. John Oduku, while decrying the careless attitude of residents, noted that part of the challenge of flooding in the city was caused by the blockage of the gutters.
He said that dumping of refuse into gutters was one of the major factors responsible for the perennial flooding in the city,
He therefore called on the government to check the menace.
Oduku also urged parents and guardians to advise their children and wards against such “ irresponsible and anti-social’’ behaviour of dumping refuse everywhere.
Meanwhile, the state government has inaugurated an interministerial committee to tackle the problem.