The Oyo State Government has announced the clearing of over 153.11 kilometers of blocked drainages and culverts across major roads in Ibadan, as part of efforts to prevent flood disasters during the rainy season.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade.
Mogbonjubola stated, “The government deems it necessary to clear blocked drains and culverts of debris such as nylon, bottles, sand, wood, and tyres to ensure free flow of water during rainfall, thereby reducing the risk of flooding.”
Represented by the Director of the Ministry’s Engineering Department, Oladipo Adebowale, the commissioner noted that the proactive step was essential in preventing avoidable flooding incidents in the state.
During an on-the-spot assessment tour involving officials from the Ministry, the State Project Performance Monitoring Agency, and the Office of the Auditor-General, Mogbonjubola praised the government’s foresight in prioritizing the desilting of drainages.
He also issued a stern warning to residents against illegal dumping of refuse in unauthorized locations, stating, “Blocking drains and culverts not only leads to flooding but also damages the asphalt layers of our roads. Anyone found dumping refuse indiscriminately will face the full wrath of the State Environmental Law.”
Among the major drainages cleared were those along Total Garden to Beere, Iyaganku to Odo-Ona, Apata, Total Jericho to Alesinloye Roundabout, Sango-Eleyele to Ologuneru, Ijokodo-Apete-Awotan, Olunde to Olojuoro Road, and several others.
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