Flood Control: DESOPADEC to Open Canals, Desilt Drainages in Mandate Areas

…sets for joint intervention with the Ministry of Environment in Sapele and Amukpe waterways.

The Chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Barr. John Obukokwho Nani and the Commissioner for Environment, Delta State, Hon. Ejiro Jamani have inspected several communities and flood impacted areas in Sapele and environs in preparation for a holistic intervention by the commission in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment in Delta State.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection on Monday, July 21, 2025, Hon. Nani said the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori had directed that the commission intervenes in flood control measures in DESOPADEC mandate areas in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, to ameliorate the suffering of the people living in the flood impacted communities.

“Having gone round many communities and areas in Sapele and Amukpe, we have decided to open up several canals and silted drainages as our Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has directed that we should work in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment to intervene and proffer solutions to the perennial flooding to ameliorate the suffering of our people in the Commission’s mandate areas,” he said.

L-R: DESOPADEC Chairman, Barr. John Obukokwho Nan, Commissioner for Environment, Delta State, Hon. Ejiro Jamani and Chairman of Sapele LGA, Hon. Bright Abeke

Speaking further, he said that the Commission has been intervening in flood control in the mandate areas for the past years by the benevolence of the state Governor, knowing full well that our people deserve clean and flood free environment during this peak of the rainy season.

“This is not the first time the Commission has come to the aid of our communities through this intervention. For several years now, by the benevolence of our amiable Governor, we have been doing this though, it’s under the purview of the Ministry of Environment. But within our mandate areas, we will make sure we commence the desilting of the canals and drainages as from tomorrow, seeing the high volume of water in these areas,” he said.

The Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Jamani Ejiro who had earlier highlighted the flash points of the flood in Sapele and Amukpe areas to include the opening up and desilting of canals at  Okrigbaga, power line, Shell road, new road by Shell road junction, Otakpo Bruno Street, Uton River by Army check point, Orakpo canal, Owumi road canal, reclamation dump site and Ogodo road canal by Church of God Mission amongst others said the Ministry of environment has continued to enlighten the people on the dangers of erecting structures on water ways, warning that those found culpable shall face the law.

“These are the flash points in these areas and we are not going to tolerate the deliberate blockages of our water channels. The Governor has directed the task force on demolition of illegal structures on waterways to handle them immediately.

“Some of our people are fond of deliberately building on waterways. This act is inimical to the environment and it has led to flooding in our communities. We cannot condone that anymore. The law shall take its course,” he said.

The Chairman of the council, Hon. Bright Abeke, who was also on the entourage, lamented that many individuals and companies are found wanting in the careless act of environmental degradation leading to the blockage of the canals in Sapele Metropolis. He therefore cautioned them to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse and blocking of canals, warning that anyone caught in the act shall face the full wrath of the law.