Akpor Residents Decry New Wave Of Flooding

A new wave of flooding in some communities of Akpor Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local GovernmentArea of Rivers State has raised a great concern to residents as they have expressed apprehension, as rainy season is gradually setting in.
Some of the affected communities such as Rumuosi, Rumuekini and Ozuoba, have been witnessing flooding each time it rains, as water could not find exit routes after raining, because the drainages are completely blocked.
The Tide observed that many compounds, especially in Rumuosi and some parts of Rumuekini experience flooding when there is serious rainfall.
Reacting to the situation, an opinion leader in the area, Rev. Simeon Echeonwu, lamented that the construction company, Julius Berger, handling the Port Harcourt Ring-Road project did not provide alternative outlet for water to flow out, hence the flooding.
“ You can see that the gutters are all blocked because of ongoing construction work for the Ring Road project, but my worry and concern is that the Julius Berger handling the project ought to consider creating alternative passage for water.
“ For sure rain must fall in course of executing the project, but when there is an outlet for water, there must be flooding as all drainages are blocked.
“ Something needs to be done fast to address this problem before the rainy season sets in, so that people can have access to their homes”, he said.
Meanwhile, those that do business within the Rumuekini, Rumuosi and Ozuoba junctions are not spared, as flood takes over the areas of their businesses whenever it rains heavily.
According to a cosmetic shop operator, Chima Divine, the flooding affects business, and takes some time to clear.
“ I think that the best thing to be done is for Julius Berger to create a temporary relief while the construction work goes on. This will help residents and business operators not to let water enter their homes, for more rainfall will come, and this is Rivers State”, he stated.
As at the time of filing this report, the authorities of Julius Berger could not be immediately reached, but an anonymous source disclosed that the company was embarking on a remedial work on some streets, so as to control flooding.
The company’s source disclosed that some graders machines have been deployed to some streets for that purpose.

By: Corlins Walter