The Oyo State Government has commenced the clearing of more than 153 kilometers of blocked drainages and culverts across major roads in Ibadan as part of efforts to mitigate flood risks during the rainy season.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, made this known in a statement released on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade.
Mogbonjubola emphasized the importance of ensuring unobstructed water flow by removing debris such as nylon, bottles, sand, and tyres from drainages.
He noted that “the government considers it critical to remove blockages to minimize the chances of flooding during heavy rains.”
The commissioner, represented by Oladipo Adebowale, Director of the Ministry’s Engineering Department, stressed that this preemptive measure is essential to reducing the likelihood of preventable flood disasters in the state.
During an inspection tour, officials from the Ministry, the State Project Performance Monitoring Agency, and the Office of the Auditor-General commended the government’s initiative, calling it a step in the right direction to safeguard lives and infrastructure.
Mogbonjubola also warned residents against the illegal dumping of refuse in unauthorized areas, stating, “Dumping waste in drainages leads to flooding and damages our roads. Offenders will face the full penalties under the State Environmental Law.”
Some of the key drainages cleared in the exercise include those along Total Garden to Beere, Iyaganku to Odo-Ona, Apata, Total Jericho to Alesinloye Roundabout, and Sango-Eleyele to Ologuneru, among others.
