The Port Harcourt Water Corporation has appealed to the Rivers State Government for urgent intervention as flooding continues to affect several communities in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
The appeal comes amid efforts by the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development to determine the causes of the flooding following allegations that drainage channels around the corporation’s facilities had been obstructed.
Officials from the ministry inspected some of the affected areas alongside representatives of the Port Harcourt Water Corporation after Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed that the complaint be investigated.
Speaking after the inspection, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Gonee Gordon Nwizug, said the assessment did not establish that the corporation had blocked the drainage channels.
Instead, he blamed human activities, including indiscriminate dumping of refuse and the conversion of wetlands for residential purposes, for contributing to the obstruction of waterways.
Nwizug said debris had accumulated in some canals, restricting the flow of water, and described the situation as unacceptable. He added that the findings from the inspection would be presented to the governor for further action.
Meanwhile, the Production and Water Quality Manager of the Port Harcourt Water Corporation, Charlotte Iwokiri Aningenime, disclosed that the corporation was already carrying out a storm-water drainage rehabilitation project.
She explained that the project involves constructing additional culverts, expanding existing ones and clearing waterways to improve the movement of floodwater from surrounding communities.
According to Aningenime, the project is currently about 40 per cent complete and is expected to be completed by the end of December.
She said the completed work would help reduce the volume of floodwater entering the corporation’s premises from surrounding areas.
The flooding has affected several parts of Port Harcourt, including Peter Odili Road, Eneka, Rukpoku, NTA Road and Rumuomasi.
Residents in some of the affected communities have reportedly resorted to using canoes, while floodwater has entered homes and submerged vehicles following days of heavy rainfall.
The water corporation also assured residents that potable water would be made available to homes, offices and other locations in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor once the Rivers State Government approves the resumption of water distribution.
The latest development has renewed calls for improved drainage infrastructure, proper waste disposal and protection of wetlands as authorities work to address the flooding situation.
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