As the nation continues to witness annual natural and human induced disasters of various magnitude and types, citizens of the State of Osun have been advised to take proactive measures that could prevent flood especially during this raining season.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency NIMET, gave the advice in its year 2020 Annual Flood Outlook, AFO, report made available to State of Osun Ministry of Water Resources and Energy in Osogbo. According to the AFO report,Ila Local Government was identified as highly probable flood risk area. The report identified 15 other local government areas in the State which include; Ayedire, Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Ifelodun, Ilesha West, Irepodun, Isokan, Iwo, Odo-Otin, Olaoluwa, Olorunda, Orolu and Osogbo respectively.
NIMET further stressed that all hands to be on deck to ensure that flood management activities are not handled with levity. Speaking with State Information press crew, Osun Commissioner for Environments and Sanitation, Sola Oladepo who explained that the present administration of Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola is leaving no stone unturned in the efforts of making Osun a flood-free State, disclosed that the feat recorded in combating flood in Osun has no match in the country.
He used the occasion to urge residents of the state to desist from the habit of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and building of houses on waterways as fundamental measures of curbing flood disaster. Also fielding questions, the Acting General Manager, Osun State Emergency Management Agency OSEMA, Engr Tajudeen Adabanija confirmed that the AFO report named Osun as one of the probable flood states in the country and also advised citizens to guide against blocking water channels, saying no matter the heaps of wastes,water will always find its way. He also commended Governor Oyetola’s administration for making sure that security of lives and properties take pride of place in his policies.
Aside from the identified local governments,he urged the entire state to complement government’s efforts towards mitigating flood disaster in the State.
