Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun has attributed the successful prevention of flooding in Ado Ekiti as predicted in January this year by Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to the proactive measures taken by the State Government to keep the State clean, safe and flood-free.
Speaking during a tour of dredging and desiltation works of waterways, gutters and drainages in Ado Ekiti, Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun who was conducted round the sites by his counterpart in charge of Environment and Natural Resources, Chief (Mrs.) Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko, noted that over 40 kilometers of river channels have already been dredged while 23 kilometers of drainage systems and culverts desilted across the state capital.
The Commissioners assured that the current exercise which is in two phases, would not only be continuous but would be extended to other parts of the State with similar ecological challenges.
Olatunbosun reiterated the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration to the safety of lives and property of residents of the State, adding that no stone would be left unturned towards making the environment clean, healthy and safe.
He recalled that the Governor recently approved the purchase of three 4X2 Hook Arm Garbage trucks and 20 single CBM bins as parts of efforts to maintain environmental cleanliness in the State.
In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Chief (Mrs.) Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe highlighted areas captured under the ongoing dredging and desiltation exercise to include Balemo/Adehun/Car wash/Elemi/ Afao road, Mojere Market/Nova Junction/Crown Biz/Iworoko road axis, Odo-Ado/Ureje Poly road axis.
Assuring that the exercise would be continuous, Chief Aluko however stressed the need for residents to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse and erection of physical structure on waterways.
Quoting Governor Oyebanji, Mrs. Aluko said that “Government would rather spend so much on dredging and desiltation to prevent flood than distributing relief materials and evacuation of residents from disaster areas into Internally Displaced Peoples’ camps”.
She said that residents would be thoroughly sensitized on environmental issues and preservations adding that recalcitrant people would however be subsequently prosecuted under relevant environmental laws including the prohibition of construction of structures within 30 feet from waterways.
The General Manager of State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Mr. Kayode Adunmo said his agency would embark on massive sensitization of the people not to dump refuse in drainages and waterways as well as strictly observing the planning law which prohibits the construction of structures within 30 feet from waterways.