Blocked drainage in the Imo State capital, Owerri, and environ, is responsible for the upsurge in flooding.
Speaking to newsmen at the close of the weekly Council meeting presided by the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, called on all citizens of the state to desist from acts that hamper free flow of flood water within the state capital.
He warned that any person or group of persons caught blocking drainage, will henceforth face the full wrath of the law.
“Government has discovered with dismay the irresponsible practice of people blocking the drainage. The attitude has constantly led to the upsurge in the flooding of the State capital.” Emelumba said
He announced new measures put in place by the state government to curtail the menace of blocked drainage, stating that “Government therefore directs all landlords and caretakers as well as tenants whose frontages are blocked as a result of the drainages being blocked to quickly open them for free flow of water.”
He pointed out that the state government has discovered the irregular habit of encroachment on government lands and destruction of government property has continued unabated.
“To this effect, therefore, government warns that anybody, person or group of persons, who are setting the wheel of development back in Imo State by carrying out such activities/practices will not only be arrested but will be prosecuted according to the laws of the land” he stated.
He asked those involved in such acts to desist from same in their own interest.