Days of unrelenting rainfall have brought untold hardship to residents of Sapele Local Government Area in Delta State, as floodwater have overrun homes, rendered streets and major roads impassable, and left many families homeless. The affected areas include Amukpe, Okirighwre, Okirigbagha, Uruakpa, Oton, Vitafoam, the back of Jes Motel Road, Okpoisi Road, Shell Road off Powerline, Mission Road, Oleh Road, and adjoining streets.
Residents are now calling for immediate intervention from the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Sapele Local Government Chairman, Hon. Bright Abeke, to stem the worsening situation.
When newsmen visited some of the worst-hit areas, homes were submerged in murky water, with household items floating in flooded compounds. Many residents could be seen wading through waist-deep water to retrieve what remained of their belongings, while others sat stranded on elevated surfaces, unsure of where to turn.
“The rainwater entered our homes as we couldn’t control the flooding. Our mattresses, clothes, and foodstuff are completely soaked. Streets around here are no longer motorable; even trekking is risky,” lamented Mrs. Augustina Sohwo, a resident of Okirigbagha. “We are appealing to Governor Oborevwori and Chairman Abeke to come to our aid before lives are lost. The council should deploy swamp excavators to clear blocked waterways. That is the only way to reduce the flood.”
Unlike previous incidents where businesses bore the brunt, this year’s flood has disproportionately affected residential areas, with many families forced to abandon their homes. Shops and stores in the town remain largely untouched, but household properties have suffered extensive damage.
Engr. Samson Atagana, a resident of Okpoisi Road, told newsmen that the deluge has displaced his entire family. “The continuous rainfall has rendered me and my family homeless. We are now staying with relatives on higher ground. The water came in like a river and swept through our sitting room and bedrooms. This is no longer something residents can manage on their own,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Across Sapele, key roads such as Mission Road, Oleh Road, and Shell Road off Powerline have been affected by the floodwaters. Tricycles and cars were seen stalled in flooded streets, further compounding the plight of residents.
Environmentalists say the disaster is aggravated by years of poor drainage infrastructure and unregulated urban development, which have left natural waterways blocked by refuse and sand deposits. However, since Hon. Bright Abeke assumed office as council chairman, environmental sanitation has become a daily exercise. “If not for his commitment to improving the environment, the situation could have been far worse than this,” one resident added.
Chief Emmanuel Ayomike of Okirighwre community stressed the need for a coordinated response. “We need both short-term and long-term measures. The council should, as a matter of urgency, start clearing drainage channels with swamp excavators, and the state government should provide relief materials for affected families,” he said.
In a brief phone interview, an official from the Sapele Local Government Council, who preferred not to be named, acknowledged the scale of the flooding. “We are monitoring the situation closely and have started discussions with the Delta State Ministry of Environment for a joint response,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment has reiterated calls for residents to clear blocked drains in their areas and refrain from dumping refuse into waterways.
As heavy rains are forecast to continue, residents fear the worst if no immediate steps are taken. “This is a humanitarian crisis in the making,” warned Mr. Atagana. “We need action, not promises.”
