Environmentalist Blames Road Flooding On Drainage Blockage

An Environmental ana
lyst, Mr Chris Nduka, has attributed the flooding of some major roads in Nsukka, during rains to blocking of drainage with indiscriminate refuse dumping by some residents.
Nduka said this in an interview with newsmen in Nsukka.
He condemned the habit of some residents whom he said waited only when there was rain to dispose their domestic refuse inside the gutter thus, resulting in blocking the drainage system.
“This is why during rain and after rain, some major roads and streets in the town are flooded with water as refuse dumps have blocked water channels.
“Residents, who engage in this unwholesome act, should desist from it; as it amounts to sabotaging efforts of government in achieving good environment for the people,“ he said.
According to him, such behaviour is capable of causing flood disaster in future.
“Some people are also in the habit of throwing their refuse on main roads during rains that is why some roads are littered with dirt and particles after rains. “
He urged state and local government to set up task force that would ensure that perpetrators of “this evil act“ were arrested and prosecuted, to serve as deterrent to others.
“It is unfortunate that government after spending millions of money to construct water drainage to ensure free flow of water during rains.
“However, some residents are frustrating this effort by dumping refuse on the drains.
“Obstructing of water channels with refuse dumps in many cases have resulted in heavy flood that leading to loss of lives and property.
“Government’s huge expenditure in constructing drainage will be waste of funds, if the aim of constructing such drainage is defeated, “he said.
The analyst, however, urged state and local governments to procure enough refuse dustbins and place them in strategic locations in streets and main roads in the town.
He explained that some residents claim they engaged in indiscriminate dumping of refuse in Nsukka because there is no close refuse dustbin of Enugu State Waste Management Agency (ESWAMA) in their areas.
According to him, a situation whereby a resident will enter bus or motorcycle before he or she can reach ESWAMA nearest dustbin is unacceptable as it encourages indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
“Government should strive to place refuse dustbins where they will be accessible to residents,” he said.