Flooding: Oyebanji warns against building on waterways, blocking of drainages

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has warned developers against building on waterways, saying this has been the most identifiable snag sabotaging government’s efforts to tame flooding.

Oyebanji gave the warning in Ado Ekiti on Sunday while inspecting some sections of the capital city and suburbs ravaged by flood.

The areas visited by the governor include Osekita area of the Ekiti State University, where some hostels were overran by water. He donated food palliatives to students who lost valuable materials to the occurrence.

Addressing the victims, Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, urged residents to desist from actions that could sabotage the flood-control measures being devised by the state government.

He sympathised with the victims, who are predominantly students, and reminded the residents that indiscriminate blocking of drainages and building of structures on waterways are sabotaging government’s efforts against flooding.

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Expressing grief over the incident, Oyebanji said some of the issues causing flooding in Ekiti State can be prevented. He frowned at laxity on the part of the citizens who often dropped refuse inside canals and drainages.

“Let me on behalf of Governor Biodun Oyebanji sympathise with you on this incidence. You can all bear witness to the huge investment this government has made to control flooding.

“As sad as this situation is, we thank God that no life was lost, that is the most important thing to us as a government.

“In the last two years, we have dredged and channelised places like Elemi and Ureje rivers that crossed some parts of Ado Ekiti. We have also channelised the Agric Olope area , where cases of flooding had been reported.

“We are assuring you that the government will come to your rescue. We have been helping victims of flooding, rainstorm and fire incidences. Just recently, the government spent over N58m for the victims of rainstorm and fire disasters, so we will not abandon you in this critical situation.”

The governor said the officials of National Emergency Management Agency and Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency will visit all the affected areas for proper enumeration and documentation to guide the government on the best way to bring respite to the victims.