The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency has started dredging a blocked river in Ihe and Umudere communities of Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area, to prevent possible flooding during the rainy season.
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The operation began following a directive from Governor Alex Otti, who instructed that the river within the Umuahia capital territory be opened to allow rainwater to flow freely. Inspections revealed that two culverts along the river had been completely blocked, causing overflow during heavy rainfall.
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Abia is among the states predicted to experience flooding this season. The government says the dredging will also widen parts of the river to improve water flow and reduce the risk of disaster.
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Officials urged residents to stop dumping refuse into rivers and drainage channels, warning that most of the waste found was non-biodegradable and posed serious environmental risks. They called for proper waste management practices, including separating waste at the point of disposal.
The Director of Operations at ASEPA, Chidiebere Ogbuenyi, cautioned that blocked waterways can cause the early collapse of roads and culverts. He noted that waste collection in the state had improved significantly under the current administration, rising from about 23,000 tonnes annually to over 216,000 tonnes.
Authorities are calling on the public to support efforts to keep the environment clean and ensure that drainage channels remain clear to prevent flooding and infrastructure damage.
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