Some residents around Beach Road in Koko community in Warri North Local Government Area, have called on the management of Warri North Council to carry out the channeling of rain water into the Akpakoka river to help tackle flooding.
The residents who made this call in reaction to the flooding challenge around their houses, said that they were scared of experiencing another bout of flooding during this rainfall period.
A resident, Bawo Otoritse, who spoke to journalists, said they have, once again, resorted to the use of wooden jetties to get to their houses. Recalling that they had made a similar plea two years back, Otoritse lamented that the community’s constant plea to the government to intervene had not yielded any result.
Another resident who identified himself as Comrade Felix, described living in the community during the rainy season as very challenging.
“It is very challenging for us to live in our houses during this period and the only time we enjoy their compounds is during the dry season. We are helpless about the situation and afraid of what the long-term effect of the flooding during the rainy season will have on our houses years to come,” he said.
Another resident, Florence Atigan, blamed the lingering situation on those who handled the construction of the drainage system around that area for failing to channel flood waters to the Akpakoka river.
“We need an intervention to rectify the mistake of those that constructed the drainage system around our area. They failed to channel the rain water from this area of the community to Akpakoka river. The river is situated around this part of the community; although it is not wide it is very deep,” she said.
“Immediately you pass through Koko Park to the town, our houses are very conspicuous for anyone to see. As it is, every council chairman that has come and gone is aware of the situation, yet nothing has been done about it. I pray that the incoming council chairman will be moved by the situation and take measures to redirect the flood to the river,” she emphasized.
A council worker who pleaded anonymity said most of the drainages in Koko were blocked with sand and waste, he however advised the council to quickly carry out desilting of all drainage systems in the area during these periods of continuous rainfall.
