Law Ibitoye Writes
The coming on stream of the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, BAO since October 16th, 2022 to steer the ship of the state has continued to showcase the helmsman as someone that knows what is good for the masses. He is improving on the legacies of his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and expanding the horizon of a developmental agenda.
It is incontrovertible to say that the governor never wasted time before hitting the ground running. This, no doubt can be attested to by his development projects which are people-oriented. This has endeared him to the populace including his opponents who now see him as the man Ekiti needs at this time in its quest for reckoning among the comity of states. Rural areas are being transformed to give the communities a sense of belonging.
Roads and other moribund infrastructures are rehabilitated, while new ones are opened up. Security, healthcare, education, staff welfare and jobs creations are some of the areas the BAO administration has demonstrated its sensitivity to the good of his people. This goes to buttress the point that his government is adjudged people-oriented based on projects on ground and other indices.
The governor being aware that there is need for a conducive environment for the people to comfortably enjoy infrastructures put in place for their wellbeing quickly embarked on clearing of drainages in Ado Ekiti, the state capital and other places aimed at curbing flood disasters and ensuring durability of both old and new constructed roads in the state. This initiative is no doubt being commended in many quarters.
In an interview, residents and other stakeholders of the state were surprised and happy seeing the drainages being cleared by government after years of total neglect which was one of the reasons flood took over many streets during rainy season, the effects, they described as so devastating and traumatising on the masses.
The residents believe that with the initiative, there is relieve compared to their previous experiences about flooding in the state. The age-long blockage of drainages which ought to be frequently cleared by residents but neglected as no body’s business had caused serious havoc to residents and the environment.
For the initiative to be sustained and more beneficial to both government and the masses, government should take stringent actions and measures to checkmate those responsible for such distasteful human act, while the Ekiti State House of Assembly members should legislate laws that will mandate compulsory cleaning and clearing of drainages in every surrounding in residential houses, shops, offices and worship centres because cleanliness is next to Godliness. Keeping the drainages clean will aid easy flow of erosion when it rains.
Also, the Environmental sanitation officials who have long been on ‘sabbatical leave’ should be mandated to be alive to their responsibilities of timely inspection of drainages across roads in the state while culprits be made to face the full wrath of law. Also, whoever is caught dumping refuse or garbage inside the drainages or along the roads should be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.
Moreover, government should endeavour to widen narrow drains and either reinforce the weak ones or construct another ones that will stand the test of time. Putting in place all the aforementioned precautionary measures will not only save government huge money on evacuation of garbage but will drastically reduce relief fund for victims of flood disasters .
With a holistical look at Ado Ekiti, one will know that the archtectural and layout design were well mapped out, especially the buildings along the main roads in :Ikere- Ejigbo, Poly Junction down to ABUAD, Ejigbo down to Adebayo- Ilokun axis, Fajuyi through Basiri, Ejigbo through Ilawe, Bank roads. All these roads are well planed
However, poor maintenance culture necessitated the eyesore and sorry state of these roads especially during rainy season. The roads become impassable for both commuters and motorists. In fact, when clouds begin to gather, residents living along these roads hurriedly scamper for safety to get home before the rain starts.
Reasons for the poor state are not far-fetched, the age-long drainages have not been cleared off debris, sand and objects that blocked free flow of erosion which forcefully run through the main roads, damage the roads. Not that alone, some of the drains are weak while some are too narrow and not deep to allow large flow of erosion.
Also, indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainages especially when it’s raining should be legislated upon by the relevant authorities.
Finally, governor Oyebanji has laid a good foundation on how drainages should be properly maintained, hence he should back it up with relevant laws that will enhance the sustainability and durability of the roads to reduce heavy flooding of Ekiti roads.
