Samuel OYADONGHA

Yenagoa-In what appears to be a practical step in curbing the menace of flooding, a perennial problem in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital, after heavy rainfall the state government last week commenced the clearing and demolition of structures on the right of way of the natural canal that criss-crossed the capital city.

Aside riding the canal of all sort of household waste causing blockade for free flow of water some portions of the natural drainage that had silted and sand filled over the years were also dug open to create easy passage.

Also, all structures irrespective of the position of the owners in the society, erected on the right of way of the natural drainage which bifurcate the capital city were pulled down by the rampaging bulldozer of the Capital City Development Authority (CCDA) under the watchful eyes of armed policemen.

The development however turned out to be a pain to affected residents who watched helplessly as the government bulldozer tore down structures where they reside.

The CCDA personnel were provided armed security operatives to prevent a repeat of penultimate week incident in which the authority bulldozer was denied access to site by some youths allegedly demanding gratification before allowing them passage.

But it was reliably learnt that the action of the youths might have been borne out of fear that several families would be displaced in the course of the planned demolition of structures on the right of way of the canal.

True to the fear of many, when the bulldozers dispatched to the Yenizue-Gene and Biogbolo axis of the capital city completed its task several buildings erected on the path of the canal that bifurcate the communities had gone down their pack of cards creating a snaky water course.

While some of the occupants had to move out their belongings in deference to the directive of the authorities others were defiant and refused to heed to the warning ostensibly thinking the government would backed out as in the past, a calculation which turned out to be costly as they failed to find alternative accommodation before the bulldozer demolished their structures.

An official of the Capital City Development Authority who spoke anonymously said the demolition and pain caused the affected residents could have been avoided had the landlords not encroached on the right of way of the canal.

“The state capital is a vast stretch of lowland with several canals serving as natural drainages for rain water but these natural outlets have been blocked over the years by land developers,” he said adding that the demolition of the structures on the path of the water course and clearing of the canal will go a long way in draining the area of flood thereby reducing the suffering of residence.

Some of the displaced tenants who spoke to Sweet Crude said they were not giving adequate notice by the CCDA to enable them move out before embarking on the demolition exercise.

But this claim was dismissed by an official of the CCDA who said the affected structures were marked and the occupants giving enough time to move out before the authority mobilised to site.

Chairman of the CCDA, Chief George Fente said the exercise was aimed at reducing the flood menace in the affected area and parts of Yenagoa.

He decried a situation where land developers deliberately encroach on the right of way of the natural water course in spite of repeated warning from the government.

The state governor, Chief Timipre Sylva it was learnt had directed the state Ministry of Environment to be firm in the bid to implement policies initiated by his administration on enforcement of environmental laws and opening of city drains to minimise the destructive effect of the flooding in the state.

He was however said to have ordered that such enforcement should be done with human face.

The directive, according to the State Ministry of Environment, is expected to lead to the demolition of some high profile buildings built against the capital city plan and the clearing of drainages in the state capital.

The Commission for Environment, Chief Robert Enogha who disclosed this in an interview said though the implementation of the governor’s directive is ongoing with clearing of drainages, the demolition plan of low and high profile building will be done with a strong political will and planned enlightenment campaign.

Chief Robert Enogha explained that after an unofficial meeting with agencies and parastatals under the supervision of the ministry, there were renewed zeal by the workers of the ministry to implement the new approach to development and effective enforcement of environmental laws in the state.

“The new approach is the enforcement of laws with a friendly but firm resolve.

“We, as a government, are committed to the opening of blocked drainages and the removal of man-made problems of flood. It will be a terrible thing for some persons to build on drainages and we do nothing.

No matter high the profile of marked buildings are, we will demolish it. It is a process that will not be stopped. If there were wrongs done before, this administration will make it right,” he said.