In bid to prevent flooding, the Ekiti State Government expended N475m on dredging of waterways, desiltation of drains and gutters within 18 months.
This was to ensure that waterways and drainages were cleared to prevent disasters as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The Ekiti State Government through the Commissioner for Information, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, announced the efforts during an inspection of ongoing environmental projects in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Olatunbosun highlighted that the government’s proactive move had culminated in reducing the risk of disaster in flood prone areas of Ado-Ekiti and other parts of the state.
According to him, “We are strategic in solving the ecological issues. The focus was to as much as possible eliminate the risk of perennial flood and its attendant destruction of properties and loss of lives.
“The current efforts of the state was to consolidate gains made since the assumption of office of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration in tackling incessant flooding, erosion and other ecological problems facing many communities in the state. We have expended 475million on dredging within 18 months.”
He added, “A total of 45.67km of waterways were dredged as at the end of 2023 at Oreremope community, behind Obasanjo Estate, along Ikere road and Olaoluwa-Omisanjana-Ureje- Olaoluwa-Alasia community.
“Other areas dredged include Federal Polytechnic road – ABUAD culverts to Emirin; Basiri – Olorunda – Crownbiz / Aayemi – Balemo – Onala; and Elemi – Afao road to Ado Poly all within Ado Ekiti metropolis.”
The commissioner continued, “communities also benefitted in the desiltation of 67.2km of lined drains, culverts and access slabs, including; Police Station New Iyin Road, Secretariat Complex, Basiri Sawmill-Police Headquarter, Christ School Complex to Nova Junction, Mojere Market-Crownbiz in Iworoko Road, NTA Road – House of Assembly road junction, Other were Housing Corporation – Adebayo, Oke-Ila Main Avenue -Housing Junction, Ojumose/Aremu/Okeori Omi/Isato, St Patrick’s-Fayose Market, Lino Supermarket – School of Nursing, Roundabout/Odo-Ado/Ureje Bridge Poly Road, Ileabiye-Egbewa Junction, Eco Bank-Old Technical College and Ajibade lane/St. Andrew Anglican Mary hill entrance.”
Olatunbosun assured that the government would sustain the drive to secure lives and properties of residents in the state.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Mrs Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, said the recent dredging of Ofin and Elemi streams by her ministry concluded the end of dredging activities in the Onala Afao road and Ifesowapo communities in Ado-Ekiti.
Aluko-Ajisafe further disclosed that dredging of waterways would continue in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of the State while another round of distillation of drainages would be extended to all parts of the state.