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The Niger Delta Development Commission has commenced the channelisation of Kolo Creek, traversing 17 communities from Okarki-Otuogidi to Ogbia communities of Rivers and Bayelsa states.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony at Okarki in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the project would reduce flooding in surrounding communities and mitigate its impact on the Ahoada axis of the East-West Road.
This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday by the Director of Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Ogbuku stated the channelisation project would also boost commercial activities in the area, improve aquatic life and reduce the threat of water-borne diseases to the rural communities.
He observed that although the project was expensive, the benefits for the people far outweighed the cost, stating, “We have started the project, and we will complete it on schedule.”
Ogbuku noted that the channelisation was a response to an appeal from the community leaders asking for urgent intervention to remove the blockages that could lead to havoc if not urgently addressed.
The NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai, described the project as a great achievement of the commission’s present management.
He further said the NDDC demonstrated the meaning of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda through life-changing projects such as the one undertaken by the NDDC.
The Traditional Ruler of Okarki, King Elijah Harry Aduan, commended the NDDC leadership for taking the bold step of addressing the problem of Kolo Creek’s blockage.
To show their appreciation, the monarch gave the NDDC Managing Director a chieftaincy title and decorated him as the “Itonji Oka-Akie I” (light of the people) of Okarki Kingdom.
“We are delighted as a people and have come to appreciate the NDDC for initiating the clearing of the blockages in the creek to ensure a free flow of water that will boost our economic activities,” he said.
The commission also inspected one of the emergency shelters being built in the Otuokpoti community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Speaking after the inspection, the NDDC boss said the commission was taking proactive steps to ameliorate the impact of the perennial flood in the region.
Ogbuku observed that the project was conceived as a response to the frequent flooding challenges faced by Niger Deltans.
He noted that facilities at the emergency shelter would include essential amenities such as a school, hospital, cafeteria, police post, and recreation centre, providing comprehensive support to the communities in times of distress.
He said: “We have six of these facilities currently under construction in Otuokpoti and Odi, in Bayelsa State, while the ones in Delta State are being built in Patani and Ozorro and another two in Rivers State.”
He noted that the emergency shelter which could accommodate over 1,000 people was designed to serve as a temporary refuge during flood emergencies.
“When completed, the emergency shelters will provide temporary accommodation and necessary services to the communities in the event of emergencies,” he noted.
