…implements drainage master plan in 18 months
Soji Ajibola, Ibadan
Oyo State Government has concluded arrangement to relocate residents of the flood ravaged communities in Ibadan metropolis to enable it to implement the drainage master plan under the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project within the next 18 months.
Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of the affected communities on Thursday.
The governor directed the Ministry of Environment to enumerate the properties affected by last Tuesday’s flooding in Olodo and some other areas with a view to relocating affected residents to other areas in the state.
He said, “Like we can see out there, the bridge is undersized. There is a drainage master plan for Oyo State under the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP); this has been identified and I think we have to keep taking them out one at a time.
“So, I have asked the local government chairman to write for approval, and work will start immediately on it.
“IUFMP is already dredging the river. The remaining thing is just to put a properly sized bridge across it and we will do that.
“By the time we are able to get all the projects under the IUFMP executed, the issues of flood will be dealt with and it is only then that the rainy season will not be any problem for us. It is work in progress and I believe that, in the next 18 months, there will be appreciable improvement and our people can sleep with their eyes closed even if it is raining.
“On structures obstructing the waterways, we will have to take some of them out. At the main road at Olodo, some people already moved out by themselves. So, the government will enumerate such properties and then see how we can relocate people there.”
The governor also enjoined the people to desist from actions capable of aggravating flooding, including dumping of wastes in river channels and waterways, which he said may result in the blockage of drainage and river channels.
He urged people living close to flood-prone areas to vacate such places to avoid loss of lives and valuable properties to the flood, promising that his administration would continue to give succour to those affected by flooding.
“Palliative is general. We are faced with a pandemic and we are also faced with an economic meltdown. So, palliative is something that is continuous for all the people,” he said.
Some of the places visited by the governor included Garage Olodo, Ikumapayi, Oke Omi, Omi River, Under Bridge Onipepeye and Sawmill, all within the Ibadan metropolis.