Rainy Season: Residents, Group Tasks Osun Govt On Dredging, Clearing Of Waterways
Residents of Osun State have called on the state government to embark on immediate dredging and expansion of rivers and waterways in the state capital, Osogbo and other towns to forestall the perennial cases of flooding.
Some of the residents who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER said the recent downpours in Osogbo, Ede and Iwo were warnings that the state might witness heavy downpours this rainy season, urging the Ministry of Environment to rise to the occasion.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that a heavy rainstorm on Saturday, March 28, caused widespread damage to buildings across Osogbo, Osun State, displacing numerous residents.
The downpour, which lasted more than one hour, also led to the death of a mother of five, Mrs Jemilat Ganiyu, while the roofs of residential, religious and commercial buildings were blown off in several parts of the city, including Aregbe, Odi Olowo, Girls School, Testing Ground, Oke Oniti, Awosuru, Gbongan Road, and Oke Baale.
One of the residents, Olaitan Ademola, said the solution to any impending flood is for the state government to dredge the rivers and clear waterways to prevent water overflow.
“If the rivers in Osogbo and other towns are dredged, they will contain large volume of water that is emptied into them during the rainy season,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, a civil society group, the Centre for Social Justice and Public Protection (CSJPP), has also appealed to the state government to proactively prevent flood-related disasters ahead of the full blast of the rainy season.
CSJPP, in a statement signed by its coordinator, Mr Akin Akanji, a copy obtained by OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo, noted that a major effective way of preventing flooding in every part of the state is by dredging streams and rivers as well as the clearing drainages.
The group said some drainages in Osun, especially in Osogbo, the state capital, have been blocked by debris and need to be cleared to allow for the free flow of water.
The group said the March 28 rainfall has shown that, without necessary steps being taken, the state might witness flooding due to the blockage of the drainage.
CSJPP also urged the state government to look into the expansion of water channels and streams across the state, just as it appealed to residents to desist from dumping refuse inside drainages.
“The state government should not wait until there is flooding before taking the necessary steps. Residents also owe it a duty to assist the government in safeguarding lives and property, by desisting from unhealthy practices.
“It is the state government’s responsibility to be proactive and make sure rivers, streams, and drainages are cleared.
“Some of the drainages in the state, particularly in Osogbo, the state capital, have been blocked by refuse dumped by residents of the state. Also, some drainages needed expansion so as to accommodate the level of water passing through them.
“As a group, we hope the state government will do the needful and not wait till disaster happens before taking steps. The government must rise to the occasion now,” Akanji’s statement noted further.
Reacting to the demands, the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mr. Mayowa Adejoorin, said the state government is on top of the situation, adding that drainages are being desilted as constantly as necessary.
Adejoorin also said awareness campaigns are ongoing to caution residents against the dumping of refuse and waste inside waterways and channels.
The Commissioner said, “The drainages are being desilted as constantly as necessary. River and water channels are being dredged equally before the commencement of the rainy seasons to encourage free flow of water and simultaneously remove refuse that is being dumped indiscriminately to allow seamless flow.
“Awareness campaigns are going on to caution people against the dumping of refuse and waste along waterways and channels. The Ministry, having warned against the dumping of refuse along drains and rivers, has always instilled disciplinary measures ranging from fines and prosecutions to serve as a deterrent for others
“Meanwhile, in the last 3 years, we have not experienced serious flooding and the credit goes to the Governor for supporting our visions and recommendations by way of funding appropriately,” Adejoorin noted.
Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.
