URBAN FLOODING: Onuesoke Slams Community Heads And Youth Leaders Over Illegal Building Approvals

"Some officials of government, in collaboration with community heads and youths leaders are in the habit of selling natural waterways to developers to build their houses, factories thereby obstructing the flow of water"..... Onuesoke.

The cases of perennial flooding in some major cities and urban areas across Nigeria has been attributed to illegal approvals of building permits by some scrupulous government officials in strong connivance with tradition rulers and heads of community, in recent times.

Added to this is the indiscriminate dumping of waste in water channels by residents and, rather than blame themselves, the citizenry have chosen to push the blame to government.

This was the assertion, Thursday, of a prominent environmental expert and top chieftain of the Delta state chapter of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Sunny Onuesoke, as he cautioned residents, particularly those living around flood-prone areas to desist from the habit of building and constructing on water channels and canals in their vicinities.

The environmentalist gave this counsel while playing host to members of Save The Earth Initiative (STEI), led by its Director, Dr. Steven Agbola during a courtesy visit to his office in Warri, the commercial capital of Delta state.

Onuesoke, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman, Onuesoke Foundation and Network For Good Governance (N4GG) while addressing the STEI delegation, alleged that some officials of government, in collaboration with community heads and youths leaders are in the habit of selling natural waterways to developers to build their houses, factories thereby obstructing the flow of water.

He appealed to residents to give government a chance to address the issues of flooding especially now that the rains are gone.

According to him, "Some officials of governments, especially at the various departments of Town Planning and Urban Development, in collusion with some community leaders are in the habit of selling off lands which are natural waterways thereby, causing obstructions along water routes”.

Commending the delta state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his unflinching commitment towards addressing some of the challenges, Onuesoke lamented the damages done to the environment especially in the major towns and cities where massive property developments are ongoing with structures erected across water canals while in some instances, huge heap of refuse block these natural waterway and channels.

“Let us give government the needed support to tackle this menace of flooding across the country", Onuesoke appealed.

Speaking during the visit to N4GG, Dr. Steven Agbola, the Director of STEI noted that, the contributions of Onuesoke and his vast knowledge towards a better environment for healthy living, will be needed at this time so that Delta can be named among the best in terms of Environmental friendly States.

"Onuesoke has vast knowledge on how to transform our environment and make it safer, for a better living. We have come to see areas where we can partner with Onuesoke Foundation towards achieving our goal of making the earth a safe place for all in Nigeria", he stated.

Stakeholders have however, come down hard on the Town Planning Department of the Housing and Urban Ministry for its active role in approving illegal building permits.

In some states of the federation, flood had sacked several communities and inhabitants, resulting to thousands of inhabitants becoming homeless. States like Adamawa, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and Delta with riverbanks were worst hit.

According to Uvieteme Onokurhefe, a resident of Ajamogha community in Warri, “property developers in some of the major cities, including elders and youths in the communities, have formed the habit of selling lands along natural water ways, swamps etc”.

“Government officials, in connivance with these scrupulous persons, have continued to thwart the good efforts of the Okowa led government in Delta state, through the indiscriminate approval of building permits to developers, not minding the after effects of such development. This is highly deplorable”, he said.

“People must get it right if they want the government to address, effectively, the issue of flooding in their various localities. Residents of urban and semi rural areas with high population that are naturally prone to floods, need to get it right and avoid the indiscriminate dumping of waste and refuse into waterways and canals”, Uvieteme warned.

Some residents of Agbarho; a town situated along the Warri/Ughelli/PortHarcourt expressway, have condemned the activities of some influential persons in some communities who, for selfish purposes, who indulge in such condemnable acts.

They accused the leaders in their various communities including the President Generals and the various Community Youth leaders who arrogate upon themselves, authority to dispose of every parcel of land including swamps, natural flow lines and earth empty dumps like borrow pits, natural swamps etc.    

Prominent cities and towns such as Ughelli, Warri and Sapele are not exempted as these youth leaders will always tell you; “this is our community we can sell any where”.