DESOPADEC Warns Isoko Residents Against Dumping Refuse In Waterways
Commission Intensifies Flood Prevention Campaign
THE Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has warned residents of Isoko communities against indiscriminate dumping of refuse into rivers, canals and drainage channels, saying stricter enforcement measures will be introduced to tackle recurring flooding across the area.
The warning was issued by the Isoko representative on the DESOPADEC Board, Hon. Victor Egbo, during an inspection of the Commission’s annual de-silting and drainage unclogging exercise ahead of the peak of the rainy season.
According to Egbo, continuous efforts to clear blocked waterways are often undermined by residents who dispose of household waste into drainage systems, restricting the natural flow of water and increasing the risk of flooding.
Offenders Face Tougher Penalties
Egbo disclosed that investigations carried out by the Commission identified indiscriminate refuse disposal as one of the leading causes of blocked drains and persistent flooding in several Isoko communities.
He said DESOPADEC would collaborate with environmental task forces in the various local government councils to ensure stricter compliance with sanitation regulations.
As part of proposed enforcement measures, he suggested that anyone caught dumping refuse into waterways should bear the financial cost of hiring a swamp buggy used for clearing blocked channels, describing the move as a deterrent against environmental violations.
He maintained that government could not continue investing public funds in clearing drainage systems only for residents to obstruct them again through irresponsible waste disposal practices.
Residents Urged to Use Approved Waste Disposal Sites
The DESOPADEC board member reminded residents that the Delta State Government has provided designated waste collection points through accredited Private Sector Participants (PSPs), urging communities to make full use of the approved facilities.
He stressed that proper waste management remains a shared responsibility between government and residents if flooding is to be effectively reduced during the rainy season.
Egbo also commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for sustaining flood control interventions across the state’s 25 local government areas, noting that ongoing drainage maintenance and environmental sanitation programmes are expected to reduce the impact of seasonal flooding and protect lives and property.
