BENIN CITY — EDO State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Idahosa says it is not a shame that the Governor Lucky Igbinedion administration has not been able to check the problem of flood in the state since it assumed office in 1999.
Idahosa who was reacting to a call by an ANPP member of the House of Representatives, representing the Oredo federal constituency in the state, Mr. Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula on the state governor to request the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state over its flood problem, said the call was unnecessary.
His words, “it is not a shame. I do not think it is a shame. There is nothing to be ashamed of, there is flood everywhere. There is flood in Lagos, why is he not calling for a state of emergency in Lagos state because I know that the problem of flood is worse there. The whole of Victoria Island is being submerged, half of the roads there have been taken over by flood.
“Flood is a natural occurence. I am sure you watch the CNN, do you now say that because of that, a state of emergency should be declared in Bangledesh, India and China where they are having flood. This is the season of rain. It happens everywhere and the problem that is causing flood in Edo state did not just start five years ago”, he said.
Idahosa stated that the Igbinedion government had taken measures to control flood in the state and “somebody should not just wake up to cry as if nothing was being done by the government.”
According to him, “Governor Igbinedion had approved money for the repair of roads but you discover that our people have no discipline. The drainages have all been blocked, people build houses on top of drainages, they do not follow masterplan and that is why the government set up a committee on Town Planning Enforcement to at least remove the houses that are blocking the drainages”.
“Let me tell you, the ANPP man just wants to be noticed. Very soon, we will get over it. People still accuse government when they do not have building plans. Take a look at Abuja, they are demolishing houses and in Port Harcourt, it is the same thing. So, it will be tackled, the state Ministry of Works is working. Anybody blowing hot and cold on the matter is only diverting attention from the real issue on ground”, he declared.
