Residents of Ikpoba-Hill in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government of Edo State on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, took to the streets, barricading the busy Ikpoba Hill Road, to protest the state government’s failure to dredge the Ikpoba River.
The river, during rainy season, often overflows its banks, destroying homes and leaving many displaced.
According to Ken Omusi, youth leader of the community, Gov. Godwin Obaseki had promised in July that the contract for the river’s dredging had been awarded to a contractor.
Omusi said that no equipment nor workers had been mobilised to the site since July, when the state government allegedly gave the contract.
He said the river’s overflow had caused massive erosion in the community and destruction of lives and property.
According to him, members of the community wept when floods swept away a young boy recently.
A resident, Mrs Ijeh Isoken, lamented the loss of personal effects and the tragic loss of the young boy.
“We’ve been searching for his body, even hiring divers, but to no avail.
“We beg the governor to intervene to prevent another tragedy,” she said.
“The community is calling on the state government to mobilise the contractor to start dredging the river.”
The Edo State Government had recently announced plans to dredge the Ikpoba River to address flooding, including the development of the Benin Port Project.
By Imelda Osayande
