Nigeria floods: Okowa calls for mandatory river dredging and new dams

Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta, has urged the federal government to dredge major rivers in Nigeria and construct new dams to prevent flooding.

The governor visited flood victims at three IDP camps on Tuesday before giving a speech, according to NAN.

In order for the rivers Niger and Benue to be able to hold a large amount of floodwater, Okowa urged the federal government to de-silt them.

He asserted that preemptive measures must be done to prevent ongoing floods every time neighbouring nations activate their dams.

Okowa expressed sympathy to those whose loved ones and possessions had been lost in the flood and reaffirmed that 11 holding camps had been set up by the state administration.

“Five deaths were recorded, not inside the camps but across the state. We have 11 camps, some of them are in schools and others are in high places.”

The governor emphasised how many different concerns are being impacted by climate change, which has a significant worldwide impact.

“The sea levels are rising and so is the water level. Another issue is the dam in Cameroon, it always causes a major overflow in our river.

“From the preliminary information I have, what could be done is to build our own holding dams here in Nigeria and a regular de-silting of our rivers.”

Because of the sort of dam that will be built across the river, Okowa stated the obligation belonged on the Federal Government.

The governor also stated that doctors and nurses were present in the camps to provide healthcare, and that several expectant women had given birth.

Okowa paid visits to Ogbe-Afor Primary School and Oneh Primary School in Asaba, as well as Ewulu Mixed Grammar School in Aniocha South LGA.

The Ogbe-Afor Primary School camp contains 1,548 IDPs; Oneh Primary School has 1,684; and Ewulu camp has 1,475 IDPs.