Residents in Asaba have raised alarm in the loss of lives and property in the first quarter of the year due to the danger posed by manholes and open gutters in the state. They called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to urgently fix them before leaving office, so as to write his name on gold.
About 200 manholes and open gutters dot most strategic places in Asaba.
There are two dangerous manholes on both sides of the road at the traffic lights, Ibuzo junction and in Anwai road.
Starting from FMC to Tempo Clinic junction, about 20 manholes were seen dotted on both sides, with scores of others scattered along Nnebisi road, posing danger to the end users.
Two weeks ago, a 10-year-old boy died while returning from Church during a downpour when he fell into an open drainage.
Human rights activist, Mr. Victor Ojei, had petitioned Okowa over the deaths, and called for urgent needs to address them for the safety of all.
Ojei in a petition titled “Urgent Need for Safety Measures: Uncovered Drainage Systems and Manholes in Asaba, Delta State”, begged the governor to consider the safety and well-being of the people having done well in other areas by taking immediate action to cover these openings.
“His Excellency the Executive Governor and esteemed members of the Government of Delta State, I write to bring to your urgent attention to a critical issue plaguing the capital city of Asaba.
“The lack of proper coverage and safety measures for the drainage systems and manholes in the state pose significant threat to the lives and well-being of its residents.
“As a concerned environmental expert, I feel obligated to shed light on the dangers associated with these uncovered canals and sewage openings, which have already claimed the lives of seven individuals in 2023 alone.
“Immediate action is required to prevent further loss of life, potential disasters and risking an environmental catastrophe.
“The construction of the Asaba storm water works, specifically the canals stretching three metres deep and three metres wide, has been undertaken without due consideration for safety and without the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in line with global standards.
“This oversight is alarming, as it directly exposes the residents of Asaba to life-threatening risks. The absence of safety barrier kerbs, slabs, and proper coverage turns these drainage systems and manholes into potential death traps,” the petition read in part.
The state’s Commissioner for Works (Higher Way), Joel Omodon, said only one person died inside the open drainage weeks ago.
“The death was a calamity and an embarrassment to the state, but we are working on it. We have brought concrete slabs to cover the manholes.
This government has done enough and still, working round the clock to attend to all drainage issues in Asaba,” he added.
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