By VINCENT UJUMADU
AWKA—Residents of  Onitsha went into jubilation, Wednesday, following the commencement of the dredging of the Sacomori flood channel which was responsible for the flooding of many areas of the town. The project to be financed by the Federal Government is estimated to cost about N1.3 billion.

The flood channel meant to flow through the Nwangene river and empty into the River Niger, had been blocked over the years resulting in massive floods in the town.

When Governor Peter Obi visited the site yesterday, many residents expressed joy at the development and commended government for embarking on the project.

Some of them said although they have lived in Onitsha for many years, they never knew that the several kilometers of the channel measuring over 20 meters deep existed in the area as the entire stretch was completely blocked with debris.

Mrs. Chika Ofoma who resides in a three storey -building which already had its ground floor flooded said they always dreaded rainy season every year and commended government for coming to their rescue.

Mr. Sunday Mbagwu, who hailed from Imo State and has been residing in the area since 1970, noted that if government was able to dredge the channel, Onitsha would not be the same again as flooding would greatly reduce.

Governor Obi, who spoke at the site said the dredging of the Sacamori-Nwangene drain would provide a permanent solution to the challenge of flood in Onitsha and environs, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan decided to intervene on the project because of sustained and consistent efforts and commitment of the state government on the project, as well as repeated appeals to the Federal Government to come to the aide of the residents of the area.

In the meantime, Anambra State government has commenced work on some gully erosion sites in the state. The affected areas are the Ideani erosion site along Nkpor-Nnobi road, Omagba phase one and kilometer one on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, both in Onitsha.

Obi said government was taking short term measures to ensure that the affected roads were not severed by erosion and to save buildings that were threatened.