Flood: Edo govt urges residents in flood-prone areas to relocate

The Edo State Government has urged residents living in flood-prone riverine communities to move upland and safe havens that have been provided in selected local government areas across the state.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the governor on Special Duties, Yakubu Gowon, said the alert became necessary as water level is rising as a result of heavy downpour.

“Government has prepared the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps for possible evacuation of residents living in those areas. They should be ready to relocate to the camps when the order is given by the government,” he said.

He urged residents to stop dumping refuse indiscriminately, building on low plains and waterways and engaging, excavation without government approval to forestall incidents that may arise from increased water levels.

The state government identified riverine communities in Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia North-East, Esan South-East, Etsako Central and Etsako East local councils as areas prone to flooding.