Osun begins dredging of rivers to avert flooding

To prevent further destruction of life and property, Osun State government has commenced dredging of waterways and rivers in Iwo councils.

Speaking at the inauguration of the exercise, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola advised residents to be alive to their responsibilities, by preventing floods in the state.

The governor assured that his administration would not renege efforts to avert environmental disasters caused by heavy flooding.

Represented by the Special Adviser on Environment and Sanitation, Rufus Oyegbile, Oyetola said his government was responding to the warning of the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), which forecasted Osun as a high probable flood risk state.

He added: “We must have it on record, that in the last two years, the government has done a lot on dredging of rivers and waterways in the state, which include; Osin, Sheusheu, Maaye, Arungbo, Odo-Ori, Aganga, Olobedu Akintokun, Ijetu, Awesin – Elentere, Alagbadun – Arioyun, Aketi-Osin- Amuni, Atile-Esinmirin, Agbara – Opa rivers.

He said: “Although our efforts have been challenged with the recent flood incidence in some parts of the state, this affirms the need for serious and urgent action by the government and all other critical stakeholders.”

The Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said awareness campaign on flood preparedness is imperative due to the consequences of flooding.

Oyintiloye appealed to community leaders, especially at the grassroots, to continue sensitising people in their domains against dumping of refuse and erecting of structures on water channels as part of the preventive measures.

On his part, Director General, Bureau of Social Services, Mr. Richard Tinubu, representative of Iwo Constituency, Halil Uzamot, special adviser on rural development and community affairs, Mumini Abass thanked the governor for salvaging the flood ridden areas.

It would be recalled that about four residents were reported dead while others were rendered homeless following a devastating flood that ravaged major parts of the state recently.