FLOODING PREDICTION,OGUN EMBARK ON FLOOD AND EROSION CONTROL INTERVENTION EXERCISE

 

In its continued efforts at preventing flooding and averting Federal Government's prediction of River Flooding in the State this year, the Ogun State government has embarked on Flood and Erosion Control Intervention Exercise.

The exercise is complementing its annual flood mitigation efforts in various parts of the state which started since the inception of the Prince Dapo Abiodun administration in 2019.

Speaking on the exercise which commenced in various parts of the state days ago, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Flood and Erosion Control,Mr Femi Akinwunmi said the exercise involves the dredging of River and Stream Courses as well as desilting of drainage channels statewide.

According to him those rivers and streams undergoing dredged to avert river flooding in the state include the Opa-Aro River in Isheri, Ifo LGA,Oke Afa Stream in Magboro,Obafemi Owode LGA,Giyanu Stream in Ilase, Ipokia LGA,Sokori River and its tributaries and Labaiwa stream in Abeokuta North and South LGAs.

He said it will soon be the turn of Onibuku Stream in Iju in Ado Odo LGA,Odo Funfun River in Oja Odan in Yewa North LGA,Sensen River in Sagamu LGA and Yemule River in Ijebu -Ode LGA among others lined up to be dredged soon.

Aside from the dredging, Akinwunmi said the state government has also commenced massive  desilting of drainage channels across the state notably in the state capital, Abeokuta, Sango-Ota, Ijebu-ode and Ilishan with other cities and towns are also slated for desilting soon.

"The dredging of these rivers and streams  and desilting of the drainage channels are meant to improve their water- carrying capacities through removal of sand as well as free them from refuse dumped indiscriminately into them which inhibits free flow of rain water that brings about backflows that results into flooding and its unpalatable consequences"

"As a responsible government that cares for the well-being of its residents ,the administration had no choice than to take on this responsibility to avert predicted river flooding in the state this year and free its residents from any of its consequences as raining season should be a blessing to the people and a curse"

"We therefore appeal to residents of the state to play their part by desilting all drainage channels in front of their businesses and houses while those in the habit of dumping waste or refuse into these drainages whenever it rains to desist as the long hands of the law will soon catch up with them.To be fore warned is to be forearmed"Akintunde concluded

He did not forget to equally warn traders in markets and streets who placed planks and makeshift structures on top of drainage channels to remove them forthwith to avoid violating the state environmental laws which might lead to possible prosecution.