Governor Obiano of Anambra State
By Sunny A. David, Onitsha
Following the flood menace ravaging some settlements and communities in Ogbaru Council Area that include Okpoko, Idemili, Okoti, Odorobber, Ohita and Atani, a solution appears to have been found by the administration of Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano.
Commending the effort of the Governor at desilting Sacamori drainage channel, the Council Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Hon. Arinzechukwu Awogu at the Basilica of St. James The Great Cathedral Atani, during a church service for the dedication of his son, Master Ifeanyichukwu Samuel Awogu, said that the plan for the dredging of the entire stretch of Sacamori drain was in its concluding stages.
He said that the visit to the site last week by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, in company of the Commissioner for works, the project contractor among others at the instance of the governor, was for final appraisal. “The confluence where the Sacamori drain, the Idemili River and Iyiowa Canal meet, will be widened, deepend and walled with about 100 metres dredging into Iyiowa area which will pull the flood water in Ohita and Atani along the Anambra-Imo river basin. The dredging will also continue from the confluence although to the River Niger,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Farm Implement and Mechanization, Hon. Sir. Paul Nwosu, who represented Gov. Willie Obiano at the child dedication, said that the dredging and re-channeling of the Sacamori drain will provide a permanent solution to the challenges of persistent flooding in parts of Ogbaru.
He assured that the dredging project as designed would involve among other things, total clean up of the silted drain, re- channeling to ensure proper discharge of flood into the river Niger as well as concrete work to protect the boarders and other critical parts of the drains.
Recall that Sacamori drainage channel that evacuates nearly all the flood water from Onitsha, Obosi-Awada, Okpoko among others has been a nightmare to the residents of the area as it is filled with debris, causing flood water to divert into people’s homes.
