Stakeholder Lists Dangers Of Eastern By-Pass Dredging

An elder statesman in
Rivers State Rev (Dr) Sokari Soberekon has called on Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to stop all dredging activities along the Eastern by-pass, Port Harcourt.
Rev. Soberekon who said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt said that continuous dredging of the area could prevent water from flowing from the land to the river.
He particularly said that the situation could lead to the flooding of the entire old G.R.A area of Port Harcourt as well as Nkpogu and Ogbunabali.
According to him, not only will it affect the old G.R.A, but the Golf Course would be submerged.
“The river has been over dredged. Water movement is like waterfalls and further dredging would make the w3ater not to flow out.”
The elder statesman also urged the governor to compel contractors handling various projects in the area to always undertake Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) before carrying out their projects.
He reasoned that such steps could help to mitigate adverse impacts of projects on the adjoining communities. Rev Soberekon also decried the incessant flooding of Ikwerre Road especially around the Mile I Market and stressed the need for the government to workout a modality towards ensuring the free flow of water from Ikwerre road to Abonnema Wharf.
He also called for the demolition of all structures along water right of ways.