FLOODING: OGUN TO DREDGE MAJOR RIVERS

Gov.Ibikunle Amosun

In its determination to tackle perennial urban flooding in Ogun State, government says it would look into the possibility of dredging major rivers within urban centers to aid free flow of such rivers.

The State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who disclosed this at a forum in Abeokuta assured that his administration would continue to take proactive steps towards addressing the perennial urban flooding in the State.

Governor Amosun lamented that most of the disasters referred to as natural were indeed man- made as some unscrupulous elements engage in activities that distort waterways and as a result cause flooding.

The State’s helmsman submitted that if drainages were clean, structures removed from water ways and river courses, and residents observe the laid down rules and regulation on town planning particularly, the observance of the “set back “rules, the occurrence of flooding in the State would be reduced to its barest minimum.

The Governor noted that the State has been faced with the threat of flooding almost on yearly basis since 2007, adding that his administration on assumption of office took special interest in issues affecting the environment and had put in place measures that will put to check the annual menace.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Adebayo Fari noted that a bill to provide a back-up law for its statutory duties for the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will soon be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for passage into law, while plans were on-going for the procurement of more state-of-the-art emergency rescue equipment and an ambulances for SEMA.

Mr. Fari noted that the workshop was put together to educate the public on the flooding that may occur this year as the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) had predicted heavy rainfall and to work out appropriate measures to be taken to prevent, mitigate and lessen its impact on lives and properties of the people.

On his part, the Zonal Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Iyiola Akande said the global warming phenomenon has led to an increase in disasters worldwide.