FLOOD: OYO CLEARS ABOVE 153KM OF CULVERTS, DRAINAGE
In an attempt to avert flood disasters during the rainy season, the Oyo State Government has declared that around 153.11 kilometers of obstructed drainages and culverts across important roadways in Ibadan will be cleared.
Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, revealed this in a statement provided on Wednesday by Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation.
Mogbonjubola stated, “The government deems it necessary to clear blocked drains and culverts of debris such as nylon, bottles, sand, wood, and tyres to ensure free flow of water during rainfall, thereby reducing the risk of flooding.”
The commissioner, who was accompanied by Oladipo Adebowale, the Director of the Ministry’s Engineering Department, stated that the preventive measure was crucial to averting preventable flooding occurrences in the state.
Mogbonjubola commended the government for its vision in giving drainage desilting first priority during an on-the-ground assessment tour that included representatives from the Ministry, the State Project Performance Monitoring Agency, and the Office of the Auditor-General.
He also issued a stern warning to residents against illegal dumping of refuse in unauthorized locations, stating, “Blocking drains and culverts not only leads to flooding but also damages the asphalt layers of our roads. Anyone found dumping refuse indiscriminately will face the full wrath of the State Environmental Law.”
Total Garden to Beere, Iyaganku to Odo-Ona, Apata, Total Jericho to Alesinloye Roundabout, Sango-Eleyele to Ologuneru, Ijokodo-Apete-Awotan, Olunde to Olojuoro Road, and a few more drainages were among the main ones that were cleared.