Commissioner Identifies Reasons For Flooding

The Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Nyema Weli has identified building in water Ways and the indiscriminate litter of satchel water packet as some factors responsible for flooding in the state.

Dr Weli disclosed this in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, when staff of African Centre for Environmental Protection (ACEP) an out fit of Monipulo visited him in his office.

Speaking  specifically, on used satchel, Weli said, they found their ways into the water ways thereby  blocking the drainage; adding these blockages results in flooding experienced in some part of the state.

It is for this reason he noted, the present administration would embarked on vigorous enlightenment programme to educate residents on their role on how to keep their environment clean.

Weli further explained that the knowledge of the environment spans beyond waste generation, oil spill and flooding, adding that, there was need for the people to be educated on such environment matter s as carbon credit, green house among others.

The commissioner also spoke on the present administration effort to restore the garden city of Port Harcourt to its original stature.

Outstanding among such measures includes, the planting of shrub and water absorbing tree to drink some of the rain water to reduce the quantity of flood.

He also stated that the trees and the shrub apart from absorbing water would boost the esthetic beauty of the state and restore its garden city statues.

He commended the African centre for Environmental Protection for investing on environmental related programme.

Dr Nyema reiterated the willingness of the Ministry to support organisation that would embark on environment related programmes.

Earlier the leader of the team also deputy General Manager, corporate strategy development, Monipulo had said, ACEP was involved in organising quiz competition and talks on science and environment for students of the senatorial district in the state.

The DGM who said the organisation would be organising a science talk and quiz for students in February; invited the commissioner to grace the occasion.