Flood Prevention: DESOPADEC Moves Early, De-silting Commences in Ndokwa Communities as Sapele Residents Back Annual Intervention

The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has intensified its statewide flood mitigation campaign with large-scale desilting and drainage clearance operations across multiple oil-producing communities, declaring that early intervention remains critical to reducing the impact of anticipated flooding across Delta State.

As the 2026 annual desilting exercise entered its second week, the Commission expanded operations across Jesse, Ughelli, Otu-Jeremi, Kwale in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Sapele, and surrounding communities, deploying excavators and swamp buggies to clear blocked canals, culverts, and drainage channels ahead of peak rainfall.

Inspecting ongoing projects across the affected areas, DESOPADEC Board Chairman, Chief Barr. John Obukohwo Nani, said the Commission deliberately commenced this year’s intervention earlier than usual in response to flood predictions issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

According to him, Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori directed proactive action to prevent avoidable environmental disasters and reduce flood-related losses.

“We came earlier this year than we used to because NiMet had already predicted that Delta would be among the states likely to experience flooding. Government directed that we move quickly to open flood-prone areas instead of waiting for communities to become submerged,” Nani said.

He explained that the exercise aligns with Governor Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, particularly its emphasis on environmental sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and improved living conditions.

Jesse, Ughelli and Otu-Jeremi Receive Major Drainage Intervention

At Jesse in Ethiope West Local Government Area, active dredging was ongoing at Moja Stream while workers simultaneously constructed a new drainage system along Affighor Street and reopened existing drainage channels linked to River Ethiope.

DESOPADEC also confirmed the reopening of the Agbarho canal discharge point connecting Agbarho town to the river.

In Ughelli and Otu-Jeremi axis, the Commission deployed swamp buggies to remove accumulated debris and reopen waterways.

Nani disclosed that extensive drainage work had already been completed in parts of Ughelli, including Olori Estate, while additional swamp buggies would be moved to Isoko communities to continue operations.

He revealed that environmental intervention teams had also been active in Ika North and Ika South Local Government Areas, with Sapele scheduled as another major focus area.

The Board Chairman identified indiscriminate waste disposal as the leading cause of blocked drains and recurring floods.

“It is people dumping refuse into drains expecting rainfall to carry the waste away. Eventually the culverts become blocked and floodwater returns into the communities,” he warned.

Residents welcomed the intervention.

Comrade Andrew Iweta of Affighor Street, Jesse, said reopening drainage channels would significantly reduce flood incidents.

Mrs. Evelyn Edafe Ogheneyoseme commended Governor Oborevwori and DESOPADEC for the intervention and appealed for additional support through solar-powered borehole projects.

At Otu-Jeremi, residents reported improved public compliance with environmental practices this year and expressed optimism that flooding would be substantially reduced.

Community leaders also urged the Commission to complement infrastructure interventions with youth empowerment programmes.

DESOPADEC Extends Flood Control Exercise to Ndokwa Communities

The flood control exercise later moved into Ndokwa Nation as DESOPADEC commenced extensive desilting activities in Kwale, focusing on Apa Street, Alamaossai Street and adjoining drainage corridors in Ndokwa West Local Government Area.

Environmental teams supervised by officials from the Department of Environment worked with sanitation crews and local artisans to clear accumulated silt, remove weeds and restore blocked water channels.

Residents expressed relief as heavy machinery and manual workers reopened drainage pathways ahead of expected heavy rainfall.

Officials supervising the operation said the intervention forms part of broader environmental management efforts aimed at improving public health and preventing seasonal flooding.

Mr. Kingsley Iweka, who represented the supervising environmental team, explained that the exercise would continue in phases to cover major roads, inner streets and known flood-prone locations across Kwale.

Authorities also called on residents to maintain the drainage channels after completion and avoid dumping refuse into waterways.

DESOPADEC Flood Control Desilting Works

Sapele Residents Applaud Annual Exercise as DESOPADEC Targets Critical Canals

DESOPADEC also commenced annual desilting operations in Sapele, targeting blocked drains and canals identified as major contributors to persistent flooding.

Inspecting ongoing work, DESOPADEC Board Member representing Sapele, Ethiope West and Okpe Federal Constituency, Chief Julius Egbedi, described the intervention as essential for protecting residents.

“It has become a yearly ritual because whenever drains remain blocked, people are forced to abandon their homes during heavy flooding,” Egbedi stated.

Work commenced at Awolowo Junction and expanded to Okpe Road, Akintola Road, Owumi Road and Aka Avenue Canal.

Swamp buggies were deployed to remove years of accumulated waste and improve drainage flow.

Egbedi appealed to residents to embrace proper waste disposal practices and register with private refuse collectors.

“Resources that should be used for development continue to be spent clearing blocked drains because of indiscriminate waste disposal,” he said.

Supervisory Councillor on Environment in Sapele Local Government, Hon. Kingsley Sadjere, praised the collaboration between DESOPADEC, Delta State Government and local authorities, noting that critical drainage obstructions had already been removed.

Residents also shared testimonies of recurring flood impacts.

Dr. Mrs. Esther Ogude recalled periods when teachers had to carry schoolchildren through floodwaters around Omarin Primary School and surrounding areas.

Miss Tejiri Japan expressed confidence that the exercise would finally restore free water flow and bring lasting relief.

Elsewhere in Agbarha, Ughelli North Local Government Area, residents described the intervention as long overdue and expressed optimism that decades of seasonal flooding would soon become history.

Community leaders pledged to support environmental protection efforts and discourage indiscriminate waste disposal after completion of the exercise.

The statewide desilting campaign is expected to continue across additional communities as DESOPADEC intensifies flood prevention efforts across Delta’s oil-producing areas.