Asaba, the Delta State Capital, which is located in the low-lying Niger Delta region, has experienced persistent flooding over the years, particularly during the rainy season. A study in 2024 highlighted that Asaba lacks an urban master plan to guide its physical development.
The rapid population growth and urban expansion, which began after Asaba became the state capital in 1991, led to unregulated construction in marginal lands that used to serve as natural water sinks. Again, poorly maintained or blocked drainage systems have significantly worsened the problem.
Many residents exacerbate the issue by improperly disposing of refuse into drains, an unfortunate development that clogs and reduces their capacity to carry stormwater. As the state capital, the problem became a major concern for the state government due to the disruption and damage it caused, including the destruction of property, disruption of livelihoods, and the health hazards associated with it.
The Asaba flood control project was initiated to solve this perennial and devastating flooding that has plagued the state capital for decades. The project is not a single, recent initiative but a continuation of efforts by successive state administrations, especially the administration led by Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, which undertook flood control measures.
The current phase of the project is a major stormwater control initiative, designed as a long-term solution. It was prioritised under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda to ensure sustainable urban development and permanently end flooding in the city.
Recently, Governor Oborevwori embarked on an inspection tour of the massive stormwater drainage system traversing Summit Road through Nwelih Street, St. Patrick’s College, West-End Mixed Secondary School, Anwai Road, and Uche Medua Igeh, all linking the Amilimaocha Stream in Oshimili South Local Government Area.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the inspection, the Governor expressed optimism that the longstanding problem of flooding in Asaba will soon be permanently resolved, following steady progress on the ongoing multi-billion-naira flood project.
He said the project, measuring approximately six kilometres in total length, was designed to channel floodwater from the Shoprite axis of Asaba and the Interbau-Ogagifo area directly into the Amilimaocha tributary.
“The only way to permanently solve the flooding challenge in this area is to take the water straight to the river. The drains here are very deep — about six meters underground, and that is what makes this solution sustainable,” the governor explained.
According to him, the flood control project features 2.4 by 2.4 meter concrete drains at critical sections, built to handle the high volume of stormwater that typically overwhelms the capital city during the rainy season. He noted that even the portions of the drainage system already completed have significantly improved the flow of stormwater, leading to a marked reduction in flooding during the current rainy season.
“You can see that this rainy season, there has been no flooding around Shoprite and the adjoining streets. The water now flows freely because the drain from that axis is already functioning. By the time this last phase is completed, flooding in Asaba will be a thing of the past,” Oborevwori said.
The governor revealed that the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), has assured the state government that the entire stormwater project will be completed ahead of schedule, with drainage works expected to be finished by the end of 2025, and asphalt overlay works set to begin early next year.
“The contractor has promised to deliver all storm drainage works before the end of this year, and by the first quarter of next year, they will start asphalting. By March 2026, we expect this project to be fully completed,” the Governor added, even as he disclosed that the state had already released 40 per cent of the contract sum to ensure unhindered progress, emphasising that the government was not owing the contractor.
He commended the cooperation of residents and businesses affected by the ongoing construction, saying the people were excited that the government was finally addressing a problem that had plagued them for decades.
“Our people are not complaining; they are happy. For years, this area has been a flood zone, but now they can see real progress. This is not just about construction, it is about restoring confidence and improving lives,” the governor noted.
He also paid tribute to the efforts of the previous administration under Sen Ifeanyi Okowa, acknowledging that the ongoing works build upon earlier phases of the Asaba storm drainage system initiated several years ago.
“For almost 10 years now, we have been tackling the storm drainage issue in Asaba. The previous government did a lot, and we are completing what was started. We are also replicating the same success in Warri, where phases one and two of the storm drainage projects have been substantially completed, and phase three is ongoing,” he said.
Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustainable urban infrastructure, environmental safety, and people-oriented development, saying, “This government is about continuity and impact. When we say we are building on the MORE Agenda, we mean Meaningful Development and this flood control project embodies all of that.”
The governor announced that he would continue his project monitoring visits and that several groundbreaking ceremonies for new infrastructure projects, including the Okpanam-Ugbolu Road construction, would take place in the coming days.
Residents and business owners along the project corridor, visibly elated by the governor’s visit, expressed appreciation for the state government’s commitment to ending the yearly nightmare of flooding that has long disrupted economic and social life in Asaba.
With visible progress on-site and full government funding in place, the Summit Road-Amilimaocha Stream Flood Control Project is widely expected to deliver lasting relief to the people of Asaba and turn one of Delta’s most flood-prone zones into a model of modern urban resilience.
