Flood: Oyetola Inspects Ongoing Dredging Works, Says ‘Dumping Refuse On Waterways Dangerous

The present administration in Osun State has again reiterated it’s commitment to the general well-being of the people by ensuring that dredging of streams, rivers and canals cut across the state to prevent flood.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola stated this today during an inspection tour to Rasco Stream, Oke-Ijetu and Lake 264 where dredging is on-going.

The governor stressed the need for the general public to desist from disposing refuse on waterways.

He said “water is not an enemy, but can become enemy if it is not allowed to flow freely.

He asserted that Government is spending lots of money to ensure that both lives and properties of the people are save.

He said apart from Osogbo, there are some other local government areas in the state that have been listed among highly probable flood risk areas, saying he would do everything within his reach to ensure that there is not incident of flood in the state.

The Governror further reiterated that he would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that every form of environmental degradation is prevented and remains steadfast in his quest to prevent loss of lives and property to flooding.

The state helmsman then encouraged the citizens to pay their tax so as to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

He appreciated the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation as well as ALGON for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the work is embarked on.

In this speech the Special Adviser Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Rufus Oyegbile advised the people of the state to compliment government efforts by cooperating with private service providers in the management and disposal of their refuse.

Hon. Oyegbile who commended Governror Oyetola for clearing water channels through dredging, developmental control, construction of drainage and environmental protection education, which he said had assisted in limiting effects of climate change-induced problems confronting the state said the exercise would cover not less than Seventeen local government areas in the state.

He said the dredging exercise apart from Jetu river , Lake264 at Mallam Tope area and Rasco river, Were Sheusheu, Fiwasaye and Iludun Rivers in Osogbo and Olorunda Local Governments would also benefited from the the dredging exercise.

Others areas according to him are ;Opa in Ife, Esinmirin, Iba in Iwo and Yemoja Mogimogi in Isokan among others.

Hon. Oyegbile noted that the dredging exercise started 4 days ago and it is going to last for a month.

Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon Sola Oladepo while fielding questions from journalists said the decision to dredge all the rivers and waterways throughout the state was in fulfilment of the Governror Gboyega Oyetola administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the residents of the state.

According to Hon. Oladepo, the exercise became imperative so as for the people of the state to be able to sleep with their two eyes closed during the rainy season.

Hon Idowu Abiodun, Chairman, Ifedayo Local Government who doubled as the ALGON Chairman in the state said they would continue to support the state Governror in his bid to ensure that there is no lost of life and prosperity when the rain begins.

In his remark, a resident of Oke-Ijetu Baale Agboola Rasheed commended the governor for his quick response to the needs and yearnings of the people of the area, saying “It is the first time the stream at Oke-Ijetu be given attention by the government.

Also a trader at Rasco Area, Mr Wasiu Babalola explained that whenever the water overflows its bank at Rasco, it destroys buildings and wares of both the residents and the traders. He appreciated Governor Gboyega Oyetola for dredging the river, saying they are happy at the development.