Flooding: Edo Govt To Demolish Buildings On Waterways

By Idahosa Musa

Benin City, Nigeria – Edo State Government is set to demolish private and commercial houses, built along waterways to pave way for proper surface and underground drainages, especially in Government Reservation Areas in Benin City, the state capital.

The State Governor, Monday Okpehbolo, in a statement released in Benin on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary,  Fred Itua assured that affected property owners with verified documents would be compensated, while others would be relocated to safe areas.

Okpebholo made the disclosure while commissioning a team of environmental and hydrology experts, tasked to understudy the flood control strategy, implemented by the administrations of Godswill Akpabio and Nyesom Wike in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States respectively.

He said that the study and impending demolition exercise are aimed at addressing the perennial flooding challenges, confronting Edo, particularly Benin, the State Capital.

The initiative, the statement maintained, underscores Okpehbolo’s pragmatic approach to governance, premised on learning from working models, and replicating tested solutions that delivered real results for the people.

“Governor Okpebholo’s bold multifaceted flood control project across the State capital will commence after the heavy rains, and the project will be completed in no distant time.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that this process is neither cosmetic nor politicized but rather driven by empirical data and genuine concern for the safety and wellbeing of Edo residents.

“Unlike the intervention by the last administration that was marred by mismanagement, half-hearted execution, and diversion of funds under the guise of erosion control, this new initiative will be comprehensive, transparent, and targeted at delivering a permanent fix”, the statement said.

Continuing, the statement maintained: “The Akwa Ibom and Rivers States’ models, widely acknowledged for transforming some of Nigeria’s most flood-prone areas into States with efficient flood management systems, stand as credible blueprints for what is possible in Edo State.

“With the rainy season already tilting towards its peak, the timing of the exercise is strategic. It provides the experts with a unique opportunity to observe and assess the true extent of flooding in real time across Benin City and other vulnerable parts of the State.

“The focus will be on understanding the terrain, existing drainage infrastructure, and recurring flashpoints of overflow and erosion”

It added: “The technical team from four companies will conduct comprehensive feasibility studies and environmental assessments aimed at designing a permanent and sustainable solution to Benin City’s flood problem.

“Their findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Governor for thorough evaluation and subsequent implementation.

“The Governor has made it clear that there will be zero tolerance for corruption or cosmetic solutions.

“Every kobo earmarked for the projects will be accounted for and directed solely toward its intended purpose — the protection of lives, properties, and the environment’.

According to the statement, Okpehbolo’s intervention will reposition Edo as a model of modern urban infrastructure and environmental planning in Nigeria, assuring that The era of seasonal flooding, paralyzing communities, and threatening livelihoods in Edo is coming to an end.