Flooding: MOW Begins De-silting Of Drainages In Calabar
By Our Reporter
As part of measures to address flooding especially around the markets, the Cross River State Government through the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has began recasting and de-silting of drainages in Watt Market area of Calabar.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Hon Pius Ankpo said the intervention was in line with the State government's preparedness to address emergencies orchestrated by flood.
"As a responsible government who is intentional about the welfare of the people, we cannot watch our people sitting on top of water to sell their goods as a result of flooding occasioned by blocked drainage system."
Hon. Ankpo said modalities were in place to check flooding and one of such is the de-silting of drainages to allow for free flow of rain water.
He noted that in addition to de-silting, recasting of some parts of the drainage will be carried out to forestall collapse of slaps into the water channels.
"We are doing everything to ensure the maintenance of government infrastructure, we are to de-silt the gutters and possibly fixed the road to make it passable for all road users."
He called on residents to imbibe maintenance culture, adding that Government is a social contract as such it will henceforth not tolerate indiscriminate dumping of refuse on water channels.
Further, the Commissioner inferred that his Ministry, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and other related agencies, will constitute an enforcement team to ensure that government infrastructure are used in accordance with global best practices.
Also speaking, Elder Ededet Andem, President, Capital Traders Umbrella Association (CATU), Watt Market thanked the government for the swift intervention to address the menace of flooding in the market.
He pledged his association's commitment to work with the government to ensure that the traders inculcate proper refuse disposal methods to improve the hygiene condition of the market thereby reducing the risk of mold and bacteria growth.
Mary Ekpeyong, a trader at Watt Market, expressed gratitude to the state government for coming to their aid. She said blocked drainages hav been instrumental to the flood experienced in the market which has caused various accidents.
