Despite efforts to mitigate the impacts of this year’s flooding, the Edo State Government reveals that the desired outcomes have not been achieved.
In response to severe flooding affecting structures like the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, conveyed the government’s dissatisfaction in a statement released in Benin City.
During a heavy rainfall, machines set up for the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) process in preparation for the 2024 governorship election in Edo State were damaged by floods, as disclosed by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
Significant damage from the flood included various offices, the ICT building, vehicles, office equipment, generators, and the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) needed for the upcoming CVR.
Despite taking the warning alerts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) seriously, which predicted heavy flooding, the state government took proactive steps to manage flood-prone areas such as retention ponds and other infrastructural developments.
Additional measures, including the desilting of drains and clearance of flood pathways, were implemented across various parts of the state, anticipating the forecasted flooding.
Regrettably, the continuous heavy rainfall lasting over 15 hours strained multiple flood-prone areas, causing riverbanks to overflow despite the government’s efforts.
To manage the crisis effectively, the State’s Command and Control Centre promptly responded to emergency calls by dispatching teams to provide necessary support and assistance to the most affected areas.
The public is urged to utilize emergency hotlines for assistance, with assurances from Nehikhare that the state government remains committed to providing essential aid and support.