The Ondo State Government has warned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages and waterways, saying the practice remains a major cause of flooding across the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Erosion Control and Related Matters, Elisha Ebijimi, gave the warning on Wednesday while inspecting an ongoing canal construction project in Akure, the state capital.
Ebijimi explained that the government had begun the construction and expansion of major canals across the 18 local government areas of the state to reduce flooding.
He said the current project in Akure South was the fourth major intervention after similar works in Ilaje, Ese Odo, Odigbo, and Ile Oluji, adding that the Oba-Ile community in Akure North would be next due to its urgent needs.
He said, “We have promised the people of Ondo State that in this present administration, we will say goodbye to the issues of flood.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa has mandated us to be on the field. We have been working since last year to tackle flood control.
“In the next few weeks, we are moving to other local government areas to address the issues of flooding.
“All the 18 local government areas will be covered. This particular one is the fourth project. We have worked in Ilaje, Ese Odo, Odigbo, and Ile Oluji. For some weeks we have been in Akure, after which we will move to Oba-Ile.
“We also want to appeal to the people of Ondo State to stop illegal dumping. We don’t want it in the state anymore. If you move around Akure at night, you will see refuse dumped everywhere. These are the main causes of flooding.”
On the size of the canal, Ebijimi explained that the old channel was only four metres wide, saying it had currently been expanded to 25 metres wide and four meters deep.
“Before, this canal was four metres wide. Now we are expanding it to 15 metres in some places, and at this T-junction, it will be 25 meters wide with a depth of four metres,” he said.
Ebijimi noted that the projects would not end with canal clearing, saying concrete works would be added to strengthen the canals.
He added that the World Bank is supporting the state in concreting the canals to make the project a lasting solution to flooding.
“After the rains, there are plans to come back and ensure that the drainage channels are concreted to provide a lasting solution through the assistance of the World Bank,” he added.
