Predicted Flooding: We’ve Embarked On Massive Construction To Show Readiness — Ikpeazu

Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has said his administration is embarking on massive construction of drainages and roads to ensure that the state is not heavily affected in the predicted flooding of some states of the federation this year as forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

The Governor made this known Friday via his verified Twitter handle @GovernorIkpeazu.

The Governor said his administration has constructed new drainages in some flood-prone areas of the state as well as expanding existing ones to increase their capacity to collect water as a measure to prevent flooding.

He also charged citizens to dispose their wastes properly and desilt their drainages regularly “as our battle against the predicted floods across the nation is a collective responsibility”.

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The full tweet reads:

“Following the warnings in February of floodings in several states of the federation by the @nimetnigeria, warnings that were reiterated by the @nihsa_ng in March, we have since taken steps to ameliorate whatever effect the predicted floodings will have on our people and State since we can do nothing to stop the force of nature.

“Part of the steps we’ve taken include our deliberate approach to the construction of deep and wide drainages where they never existed, and the reconstruction of some we thought were neither deep nor wide enough to collect stormwater in areas prone to flooding in our State.

“This is in addition to the several roads we have constructed which will also allow for the smooth flow of floodwaters into the drainages from where they flow into our major stormwater collection points which we have also dredged for depth and width.

“My administration through the relevant agencies has also embarked on the desilting of drainages to allow for free flow of rainwater. So, while it won’t be unusual to experience flooding in Abia State as predicted by the nation’s foremost concerned agencies, we believe that the steps we’ve taken so far will help to ensure that the situation is bearable for our people.

“I call on our people to also complement Government’s efforts in this regard by disposing their wastes properly and not block the drainages or other water paths with them. I also call on them to clear their drainages regularly as our battle against the predicted floods across the nation is a collective responsibility“, he concluded.