After Viral Flood Video, Anambra Govt Moves to Clear Blocked Okpoko Drainage

By Our Reporter

The Anambra State Government has commenced the desilting of a major drainage channel in Okpoko, Onitsha, in response to mounting public concerns over persistent flooding and erosion that have plagued the community.

The intervention comes just days after a viral social media video highlighted extensive flooding around the blocked drainage, with floodwaters reportedly damaging sections of Obodoukwu Road, a road constructed by the state government less than two years ago.

The affected drainage serves as one of the major flood channels in the Onitsha metropolis, conveying stormwater from Nkpor, Awada and neighbouring communities into the River Niger.

Residents said the waterway had remained clogged for several years, leading to recurring floods whenever heavy rains occur.

“The drainage has been blocked for years, and each rainy season brings fear to residents and business owners. We are relieved that the government has finally stepped in,” a resident said.

Some residents alleged that the drainage had received little or no comprehensive maintenance for more than a decade, allowing silt, refuse and other debris to accumulate and obstruct the free flow of water.

They also claimed that several lives had been lost in flood-related incidents in recent months, although those figures could not be independently verified.

Beyond damaging roads, the flooding has reportedly affected homes, shops and businesses, heightening concerns over public safety and the resilience of infrastructure in one of the state’s densely populated communities.

Stakeholders attributed much of the blockage to indiscriminate dumping of refuse into the drainage channel by some residents and traders.

“Clearing the drainage is only one part of the solution. Residents must also stop using it as a refuse dump if we want lasting results,” another community stakeholder said.

Responding to the growing concerns, the state government deployed workers and earth-moving equipment to begin clearing the blocked channel in an effort to restore the free flow of floodwater and reduce the risk of further erosion.

The intervention has been welcomed by residents, who expressed optimism that the exercise would bring lasting relief from the perennial flooding that has disrupted lives and livelihoods.

They, however, urged the government to institutionalise routine maintenance of drainage infrastructure and enforce environmental sanitation laws to curb indiscriminate waste disposal.

The development highlights the critical role of proactive drainage maintenance, environmental responsibility and sustained investment in flood control infrastructure to protect lives, property and public assets across the Onitsha metropolis.