Kazeem Badmus
A Civil Society group, Centre for Social Justice and Public Protection (CSJPP), has appealed to the State Government of Osun to channelise erosion paths and clear debris on streams across the state in preparation for a full blast of the rainy season.
According to the group in a press statement signed by its Coordinator, Akin Akanji, yesterday, the Nigerian Meteorological (NiMet) had predicted that Osun is among the states that will witness total rainfall during this year’s rainy season.
The group said in order to forestall flood as witnessed last year in the State, the government should as a matter of urgency, commence dredging and clearing of erosion paths.
The statement reads in part: “As we are about to enter the full blast of the raining season, Center for Social Justice and Public Protection wants to appeal to the State Government of Osun to as a matter of urgency, commence clearing and channeling of erosion paths across the state.
“The State witnessed flood during last year raining season and a responsive government should not wait until disaster occurs before doing what is required.
“The Nigerian Meteorological, NiMet has also predicted that the state will witness total rainfall this season and we see this as a signal to the concerned stakeholders to forestall flooding in the state.
“Drainages that needed to be expanded should be giving priority and streams with debris should be cleared for free flow of water”.
The group also warned residents of the state to desist from dumping refuse inside drainages and erosion paths, just as it urged the government to sanction anyone found dumping refuse indiscriminately.
“The State government should take it upon itself to prosecute anyone found dumping refuse inside the drainage. Our people need to know that dumping refuse inside the drainage will cause flood and doing so will amount to sabotaging the government efforts”, the group added.
