The Ekiti State Government has embarked on a series of dredging projects to mitigate the effects of flooding on its residents.
The Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Tosin Aluko, emphasised the critical role of community cooperation in the success of these efforts.
She urged residents to adopt proper waste disposal practices and to refrain from blocking waterways with refuse, highlighting that such actions are essential to the effectiveness of the government’s flood prevention initiatives.
The Commissioner of Information, Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun, said that the state has invested over half a billion naira in flood mitigation efforts.
He expressed that this is aimed at safeguarding lives and properties by ensuring that the state’s waterways are adequately dredged.
He noted that this approach is crucial, as Ekiti State has been identified by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) as one of the areas at risk of severe flooding.
The dredging projects involve clearing and deepening rivers, streams, and drainage channels to enhance their capacity to carry water, thereby reducing the likelihood of overflow during heavy rains.
Residents of affected communities expressed their gratitude to the governor and the state government for these interventions.
They recounted that past flooding incidents resulted in significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
The Ekiti State government is also exploring other flood prevention strategies, such as constructing retention basins and improving urban drainage systems.
