The Ekiti State Government has completed dredging of six out of the eight rivers courses and waterways it commenced in January, 2023
Speaking with community leaders and stakeholders while inspecting the dredging sites in Ado-Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Environment, Chief (Mrs)Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe said that the project was part of the efforts of the State Government to protect the adjoining communities from flooding that may accompany heavy downpour this year, 2023 and next year rainny season.
While warning residents of the communities against dumping refuse and wastes in the newly dredged waterways, the Commissioner also counselled property developers in the area against building their structures less than 30 meters from the river banks and waterways.
During the inspection tour which took the Commissioner to dredging sites along Onala, Tinuola, Elemi, and Balemo areas of Ekiti State Capital, she stressed that
apart from the risk of flooding, houses constructed close to water ways always acted as an impediment to free flow of water during heavy downpour.
Aluko-Ajisafe emphasized that Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji Adminstration values lives and property of Ekiti people, hence she has directed her Ministry to take proactive steps to prevent the lives and property of the citizenry from natural disasters.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Babatunde Alokan urged
members of the communities to always get approval from the Ministry of Housing, physical planing and Urban development before building their houses .
Speaking about the challenges being faced by the engineers in the areas of coverage, the General Manager, State Environment Protection Agency(SEPA) , Mr Frances Adunmo, disclosed that the Agency’s escavators could not gain access to some parts of the river courses because of closeness of some buildings to the rivers.
To get the work done thoroughly, he therefore suggested that the State Government has to take a proactive measure to sensitize the people about the rules guiding property development in the State.