Imo Warns Residents Against Flooding

The Imo State Commissioner for Petroleum and Environment, Mr Emma Ekweremba, has warned the people of the state not to build on primary drainage routes to avoid flooding.

Ekweremba who gave the warning in Owerri on Wednesday in an interview with The Tide said the warning had become necessary with the revelation by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) that Imo was one of the flood-prone states in the country.

He said the people should be more cautious as their actions could affect the environment negatively.

The commissioner also called on landlords to ensure that their environment was kept clean while they should use proper means of garbage disposal.

“Most of the problems we are facing now as a result of the heavy rains are complicated by our own carelessness.

“Indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drains clogs them up and this hinders the movement of water when it rains heavily and that is why we have these floods,” he said

Mr Victor Anueyiagu, the Head of Environmental Engineering and Ecology in the ministry, said the ministry would soon organise an enlightenment campaign on the dangers of obstructing waterways.

“The primary drainage routes have become silted by garbage and people keep building on the drainage routes and this affects the environment adversely.

“With the proposed enlightenment campaign, and the flood warnings by NIMET, we hope people will begin to understand the need to do the right thing.

“People should prepare themselves to avoid getting caught off guard when it rains heavily,” he advised.