The Board Chairman, Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency EKSEPA Chief Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, has again reiterated Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to the well-being of Ekiti people.
The Chairman, who is the current Obalodo of Oye-Ekiti restated this following the inspection of the ongoing dredging of rivers at various areas by board members of the Agency in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.
The former State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) noted the swift interventions of governor Oyebanji on environmental issues saved many communities from experiencing flooding in recent time .
Among the areas included Iso and Oshodi streets both along Afao Road in Ado Ekiti while Elemi and Iremide rivers sites that have undergone dredging were also visited.
The board members also visited the ongoing dredging at Ureje river along Olujoda, Falana down to Moferere street and river at GRA third extension along new Iyin Ekiti road in Ado-Ekiti.
Oguntoyinbo expressed satisfaction with the job done by the engineer handling the dredging of the rivers.
Chief Oguntoyinbo equally advised residents of Ado-Ekiti to avoid building houses and fence on waterways.
” I and the board members of EKSEPA were happy and encouraged with the level of work done by the engineer handling the dredging project.
” The State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji is very passionate about the safety of lives and properties of his people.
” He is making sure that flood does not affect residents of any community in Ado-Ekiti,” he said.
He urged the State Town Planning Management, to ensure that the standard of setting aside layout for waterways before building houses are uphold to curb flooding in any part of the state.
Similarly, the General Manager of EKSEPA, Mr Olukayode Adunmo, said the rivers were dredged by three kilometers and about 10 kilometers have been dredged in some of the rivers prone to flooding in Ado-Ekiti
Adunmo said the purpose of the dredging was to curb destructive flood in any part of Ado-Ekiti metropolis.
” In the last two to three weeks, there has been an heavy rainfall, I think the residents living in the flood prone areas have been lucky because of governor Biodun Oyebanji’s prompt intervention.
” If not his intervention, Ekiti would have been part of the states affected with flood disaster.
“But our amiable governor has been proactive to curb flooding by addressing the menace the way, it should be tackled, this is why we are enjoying peace in Ekiti,” he said.
The general manager noted that the state government have embarked on flood control since 2023 and will not relent in it’s efforts to keep residents living in flood prone areas safe.
