Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta has assured the Oko community in the state that his administration would build embankments on the shoreline of?communities living on the bank of the River Niger.
Uduaghan gave the assurance Wednesday in Asaba when members of Oko Community in Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state paid him a courtesy visit.
He said that the idea had become necessary as part of measures to protect them from the present deluge.
He explained that the process would involve massive sand filling and reclamation of the shoreline from the Anwai end of the state capital, through the bridgehead to?Oko communities.
“The plan we have in mind as a government is to embark on the reclamation of the environment and protection of the shoreline.
“This will cost us a lot of money through sand filling and erection of dike to avoid future occurrence of this ugly situation,'' the governor said.?
He, however, said that the present measure being taken by the government on the flood in the state was temporary.
“Whatever measures we are taking now is temporary. We intend to commence this protection of the environment after this flooding,'' Uduagahn said.
He said that the state government alone could not successfully execute the project, as it would cost so much money beyond the resources of the state.
Earlier, the community spokesman,?Mr Chike Obusom, said that the Oko community had been displaced by the flood.
He said that the community was an agrarian community that produced lots of food and cash crops, but added that the challenge before the community?had been that of access roads.
He commended the government for the?quick response to the plight of the Oko people, whose farm lands, houses and property? were destroyed by the flood. (NAN)