In a bold move to combat the persistent flooding plaguing parts of Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has dispatched a team of hydrology and environmental experts to Akwa Ibom and Rivers states to study their successful flood control systems and replicate similar solutions back home.
The initiative, revealed in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, reflects Okpebholo’s results-driven approach to governance — one that prioritizes learning from tested models and implementing evidence-based strategies.
“With the rainy season already nearing its peak, this is a strategic period for our experts to observe firsthand the flooding patterns across Benin City and other vulnerable locations in Edo,” the statement noted.
Strategic Assessment Underway
The governor has commissioned four expert technical firms to carry out comprehensive feasibility studies and environmental assessments, focusing on terrain mapping, existing drainage structures, and recurring flood flashpoints. Their mission is to design a permanent and sustainable flood control framework for the state.
Upon completion, the findings will be submitted to the governor for evaluation and immediate implementation.
“Our goal is not to patch problems but to build a long-term flood resilience system grounded in science, data, and community impact,” Okpebholo said.
Buildings on Waterways Face Demolition
Governor Okpebholo emphasized that buildings obstructing natural water flow—including those in Government Reservation Areas (GRAs)—will be removed to make way for effective surface and underground drainage systems.
Property owners with genuine documentation will be compensated, while others will be relocated to safer areas as part of the broader urban renewal plan.
No Room for Waste or Corruption
The government pledged zero tolerance for corruption and warned that every naira budgeted for flood control would be transparently accounted for and channeled strictly towards project execution.
“This is not a political gimmick or a cosmetic intervention. It is a data-driven, people-centered response to a real environmental challenge,” the statement affirmed.
The flood mitigation project is expected to commence fully after the rainy season, with the governor reiterating his commitment to making Benin City and its environs more resilient, livable, and economically viable.
A Broader Vision for Edo
Governor Okpebholo’s efforts align with his broader urban infrastructure agenda, aimed at repositioning Edo State as a model of sustainable city planning and environmental reform in Nigeria.
“This bold intervention demonstrates the administration’s commitment to proactive leadership and long-term development, not just crisis management,” Hobnob News gathered.
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