The clearing of a blocked canal has brought relief to residents of Ogboru Street, off Upper Erejuwa road in Warri, Delta State.
The intervention was carried out by the Warri South Local Government Area as part of efforts to address drainage and flooding challenges in the area.
Speaking during the exercise, Supervisor for Environment and Works, Honourable Femi Okorodiden, said the intervention was aimed at tackling flooding and ensuring that water could flow freely through the drainage channel.
Residents of the area described the situation before the intervention as worrisome, as accumulated refuse and the blockage of the canal had caused water to overflow into nearby compounds during rains.
A resident, Mrs. Fatima Kadiri, said the clearing has brought noticeable relief, noting that water was no longer entering residents’ compounds.
She expressed satisfaction with the development and prayed that similar interventions would continue in other parts of the city.
Another community member, Pius Asumako, who commended the local government for responding promptly to the situation, said the intervention demonstrated a practical action to address the concerns of residents.
He urged the authorities to ensure that the refuse was properly disposed of and to penalise those who dump refuse beside the canal.
, noting that the waste could find its way back into the drainage channel.
Meanwhile, Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Ejiro Terry Etacherure, has visited Umukwata in Ukwani Local Government Area of the state to assess the extent of damage caused by flash floods following recent torrential rainfall in the state.
During the inspection, the commissioner interacted with residents to better understand the challenges they were facing as a result of the incident.