THE Delta State Government has approved additional N4.5bn for the extension of the Warri-Uvwie Storm Drainage project as part of efforts to control flooding in the area.

The Director-General, Warri-Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, Ovuozourie Macaulay, and the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the extension consisted of flood control works in Ugbuwangue community in the Warri South Local Government Area, and additional 15 work sites in phases I and II of the drainage project.

They said the decision was reached at a council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba, on project and other issues targeted at deepening the stronger Delta agenda of the administration.

Macaulay said the increase in work sites on the storm drainage projects from the initial 61 to 76 caused an increase of the contract value by N4.5bn from the original sum of N9.5bn.

He said, “The whole of Ugbuwangue community is under water and the government at the meeting approved that the area should be taken care of.

“Recall that the initial contract for the Warri and Uvwie flood control projects was awarded in January 2020, but the work progress was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic which set in and caused a lockdown.

“I am happy to report that CCECC, the contractor, has achieved 50 per cent of the initial contract, while Levante has achieved a little over 40 per cent on its part, and the people of the areas are happy.

“I can tell you that if you go to Warri now, there are lots of areas where we have already worked on and the people are very happy because there is no more flooding.

“The flooding in Enerhen Road and Enerhen Junction is now a thing of the past because the whole area has been taken care of.”