Ex-NDDC Director Lists Measures To Check Flooding

As part of measures to check the perennial flooding that devastated part of Rivers State in the recent part, a former Executive Director of Project in the Niger Delta Development Commission, Engineer Beniah Ojum has cautioned against building on water ways, and indiscriminate reclamation of land which hampers the right of passage of water.

Engineer Ojum disclosed this while addressing newsmen at Ogbogu Community in Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government area, (ONELGA) in Rivers State, during a thanksgiving service held by his family over the graduation of his two children, as a medical doctor and a lawyer.

He said the torrents of water that ravaged part of Onelga and other parts of the country, was a seasonal flooding that needed adequate preparation to avert, and stated that people should be sensitive to their environment at all time

He warned against buildings located under high tension cable and closed to the road, noting that sufficient distance should be given away from electrical installations to avert disaster.

Ojum also commended the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders in their efforts at tackling the flooding, and called for a more concerted effort towards addressing the issues relating to environmental safety.

He called on multinationals companies operating in ONELGA to also show indepth commitment to environmental safety in addition to human capacity and infrastructural development as part of their corporate social responsibilities.

He thanked God for their successful return and rehabilitation of the people of Egi to their homes after the devastating flood, and called on the people to learn from the experience of the past and plan ahead of time.

Taneh Beemene