Following the incessant flooding problem in the Ikpoba Hill area and Its environs directed the immediate dredging of the Ikpoba River.
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said the State Government embarking on the dredging of Ikpoba River is to check the perennial flooding in parts of Benin City.
The governor stated this after inspecting some flood-prone areas on Erhahon Street and adjoining areas along Ewah Road and the Edo State Office of INEC affected by the weekend’s downpour.
He appealed to residents to assist the government in addressing the flood menace and take advantage of the toll-free lines, 737 and 112, to report incidents to access emergency responders.
Governor Obaseki also inspected some flooded sections of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport at Isihor, Benin City, and the water retention pond at Abuja Quarters in the Ugbor area.
He said, “We have made tremendous progress because six years ago, the flooding in Edo State, particularly Benin City, was more devastating as there were many areas we couldn’t pass through. Some residents needed to leave their homes.
“Much work has been done and lots of success achieved. However, we still have a few areas where more work needs to be done. If you recall, about a decade ago, a study was done; the rainstorm master plan was designed, based on which we have been dealing with flooding and erosion control in Edo State and Benin City in particular.
“That plan needs to be updated, and we have already commenced procuring consultancy services to update it along with the Benin City Master Plan. To solve the immediate problem that we are dealing with today in these catchment areas, you will see that the main drain here, which is the Ikpoba River, has become blocked and definitely has to be dredged and de-silted.
“If we don’t do that, we would not be able to solve the problem we see at the INEC Office at Ikpoba slope. I have instructed the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability to commence immediate procurement for what is required so that the work on dredging Ikpoba River must commence immediately. We hope that once we do this by next year the inhabitants of Erhahon and Ewah Road will not experience this kind of disaster.”
At the INEC Office in Ikpoba-Hill, Obaseki said, “We can see that the rainfall, as predicted by the meteorological services, has started torrentially.
He said Last night, “We had almost four hours of continuous rainfall in Benin City that caused widespread flooding.
“I am appealing to the citizens of Edo State to help the government prevent the devastating effects of flooding by not blocking the drainage system and also supporting the government in the efforts to desilt our drains.
“In cases where flood is overwhelming, call these emergency numbers, 112 or 737 for help as flooding is everybody’s problem. We are calling on Edo people to help us go through this difficult raining season,” he concluded.
In 2012, heavy rains caused severe flooding in several areas, displacing thousands of residents and damaging properties. Similarly, in 2017, torrential rains led to extensive flooding, resulting in the loss of lives and livelihoods.
In 2014, the communities of Anegbete and Agenebode flooded in 2012, appealed to the government to complete the dredging of the River Niger and to construct a permanent camp that had been promised to them.
Anegbete was completely inundated by water, apparently due to the release of water held at a dam. This severe flooding caused significant disruptions to daily life and damage to properties.
Residents of Agenebode, located near Anegbete, along with other affected communities, raised alarms about the deposition of silt and large sand dunes in the middle of the River Niger at Agenebode.
The call meant a stone wall with no explanation from the state government to date.
