By Odinta Oluma Christiana
Edo State Government yesterday urged the Federal Government to hasten the dredging of River Niger to find lasting solution to the perennial flooding suffered by riverine communities in the state.
The deputy governor of the state, Mr. Philip Shaibu, made the appeal while taking delivery of relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, for flood victims in the state.
Five Local Government Areas in Edo North and Central senatorial districts were affected by the flood, rending over 2000 persons homeless. Shaibu who lamented the menace of flooding, the lives and properties it had cost the people, particularly in parts of Edo North due to the over flow of the River Niger, attributed it to opening of dams along the coast of the river, adding that only the dredging of the River Niger could help find permanent solution.
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“This is really a serious problem because the money being expended yearly on relief materials is enough to dredge the River Niger. We know that the problems started with the past administration of the PDP but I believe that now that we have a responsible government in place led by President Muhammadu Buhari, the right thing will be done” he stated.
The Deputy Governor however commended the Federal Government for providing the relief materials to the victims, saying “the Federal Government has played its part, it is our turn to play our part by ensuring that those affected by the flood benefits from this gesture”
On his part, the Director General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Maihaja, represented by the Deputy Director, Relief and Rehabilitation of the Agency, Saidu Ahmed, said three trucks of both perishable and non-perishable relief materials had so far been received, adding that more were still being expected in the state.