The Delta government has charged communities in the state to clear water drainage channels and desist from blocking natural waterways to avoid flooding.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Chris Onogba, gave the charge on Friday in Owhelogbo community when he led officials of the ministry on an inspection tour of flood prone areas in Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.
Onogba said that in view of the perennial flooding in the area, there was an urgent need for communities to evacuate drainage channels and natural waterways to curb flooding.
“Building on natural waterways and blocking drainage channels have been a serious problem in some of our communities.
“Flooding arises whenever the river overflows its banks and when natural waterways are blocked, flood takes over.
“People should stop illegal dumping of refuse into drainage channels to mitigate the effects of flooding,” he said.
While condemning the act of dumping of waste inside drainage channels by people, Onogba urged them to cultivate the habit of patronising waste collectors to enhance proper disposal of wastes in government-approved dumpsites across the state.
The commissioner also advised people living in low land to relocate to safer places rather than wait to be displaced by ravaging flood. NAN
