THE Ekiti, Osun, Ondo state governments have stepped up flood prevention measures of their respective states because the 2026 wet season reaches its peak.
The officers of the states, in separate interviews with the Information Company of Nigeria(NAN), mentioned the main target contains dredging of waterways, drain building, desilting, enforcement and group sensitisation.
In Ekiti, the Chairman of the State Environmental Safety Company (EKSEPA), Chief Bamidele Oguntoyinbo, mentioned that dredging and desilting of waterways had been ongoing in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Based on Oguntoyinbo, the federal government has additionally commenced the dredging of rivers and streams in some flood susceptible areas comparable to Iso, Oshodi, Elemi, Iremide, Ureje, Olujoda, Falana, Moferere and GRA third extension alongside the brand new Iyin Ekiti street in Ado-Ekiti.
He disclosed that the state authorities had dedicated about N475.2 million within the final 18 months on dredging and desilting.
The EKSEPA boss mentioned the state Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, as a part of the efforts to mitigate flooding, had lately directed chairmen of native governments and the ministry of City and Bodily Planning to demolish unlawful buildings blocking waterways.
“That is to stop lack of lives and property, following NiMet’s prediction that Ekiti could be a flashpoint for flooding in 2026 wet season,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the federal government lately procured some heavy obligation flooding mitigation tools together with amphibious excavators and low-bed vehicles underneath the World Financial institution-assisted Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Administration Challenge (NEWMAP) to make sure common dredging.
He mentioned the company, by way of its sensitisation and consciousness campaigns, had charged council chairmen to work carefully with conventional rulers of their respective communities as a way to create extra consciousness on flood threat.
Equally, the Commissioner for Setting and Sanitation in Osun, Mr Mayowa Adejoorin, mentioned authorities had launched into steady dredging of waterways and drainage channels as a part of measures to curb flooding.
“Gov. Ademola Adeleke has graciously authorized the dredging of waterways and channels throughout the state at the start of yearly as a part of proactive measures in opposition to flooding.
“By way of these proactive steps, Osun has not skilled any main or minor flooding lately, even during times of heavy rainfall.
“Mechanisms have been put in place to stop residents from dumping refuse in waterways, whereas public enlightenment and sensitisation had been intensified by way of the media on the risks of blocking drainage channels. We have now additionally eliminated some buildings erected on waterways,” he mentioned.
Mrs Emiola Fakeye, Particular Adviser to the Governor on Emergency Administration, mentioned flashpoints have been recognized throughout the state, whereas needed measures had been put in place to make sure immediate response throughout emergencies.
Based on her, reduction supplies have additionally been distributed to communities affected by flood to cushion the impression on the affected residents.
“Victims affected by flooding in some recognized communities have been supported with reduction supplies in collaboration with the Nationwide Emergency Administration Company (NEMA).
“Cities comparable to Ila-Orangun, Aiyegbaju, Iragbiji and neighbouring communities have been recognized as flood-prone areas, and holistic measures have been put in place to mitigate flooding and guarantee immediate response to any eventuality,” she mentioned.
Fakeye, nonetheless, mentioned the federal government wouldn’t relent in its efforts to make sure the protection of residents by stopping flood disasters able to endangering lives and property within the state.
Additionally, the Particular Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Erosion Management and Flood Issues, Mr Elisha Ebijimi, mentioned the plan to stop flood within the state is at 80 per cent, with extra give attention to enlightenment of the residents on flood prevention.
Based on him, the state authorities is already engaged on the most important flood susceptible areas within the state.
“We don’t have points or plans for evacuation as a result of we have now performed the mandatory issues, when you observed we didn’t expertise flood final 12 months,” he mentioned.
Ebijimi defined that the federal government has continued to accentuate efforts on desilting of drainage channels, clearing of waterways and monitoring of flood-prone communities throughout the state as a part of efforts to scale back the impression of heavy rainfall in the course of the wet season.
He urged residents to cooperate with the federal government by avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains and waterways, warning that such observe was one of many main causes of flooding in lots of communities. (NAN)
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Tags: Ekiti Ondo Osun Peak rains
