Okpebholo to Demolish New Set of Buildings in Benin City- Read Details
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has announced that the state government will commence the demolition of private and commercial structures built on water channels in Benin City as part of a broader plan to tackle flooding in the state capital.
The governor made this known through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, emphasizing that the planned demolitions are necessary to pave the way for a robust drainage infrastructure, including both surface and underground channels, particularly in high-risk areas like the Government Reservation Areas (GRAs).
Okpebholo assured that property owners with proper and verified documents will be compensated, while those without legal claims will be relocated to safer areas.
“This administration is committed to ending the cycle of flooding that has plagued communities in Benin City for decades. These efforts will not be cosmetic or politicised,” the statement read.
The governor announced the initiative while inaugurating a technical team made up of environmental and hydrology experts. The team has been tasked with designing a comprehensive flood mitigation plan modeled on successful strategies previously implemented in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States during the administrations of Godswill Akpabio and Nyesom Wike.
According to the statement, the technical team includes four specialist firms that will carry out environmental assessments, feasibility studies, and real-time terrain analysis using the current rainy season to capture flooding patterns and gaps in existing drainage systems.
Governor Okpebholo, in his remarks, criticized the former administration’s handling of erosion control efforts, accusing it of mismanaging funds and failing to provide lasting solutions to flood challenges.
He emphasized that the new approach will be transparent, backed by data, and executed using best practices drawn from case studies that have proven successful in other Nigerian states.
“The forthcoming projects will be transparent, data-driven, and aimed at delivering lasting solutions,” the governor stated.
He also issued a stern warning against corruption, stressing that every kobo allocated to the drainage and flood control project will be accounted for. “We are adopting a zero-tolerance approach to corruption on this project,” he said.
The administration’s goal, he added, is to finally bring an end to the seasonal flooding that continues to displace residents, damage infrastructure, and threaten livelihoods across Edo State.
“The era of seasonal flooding that paralyses communities and threatens livelihoods in Edo is coming to an end,” the statement concluded.
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