The Osun state government says it is taking proactive measure to mitigate the threat posed by this year’s flooding just as the government called on the federal authority to assist in dredging river Osun.
The supervisor for works, science, and technology, Engr. Remi Omowaye and his counterpart in the environment ministry, Dr. Adebisi Obawale stated this when they led a government team on an emergency inspection of areas flooded in Osogbo, the state capital.
Engr. Omowaye ascribed the incident to climate change which he noted is responsible for the rise in water level and causing river Osun to overflow its natural cause.
According to him, many countries with advanced technology and environmental protection mechanism are also battling with the challenge posed by climate change, manifesting in flooding, excessive heat and storms.
Speaking in the same vein, the supervisor for the environment, Dr. Obawale said the government had mobilized for the dredging of river Osun to forestall further flooding which would still occur between September and November as predicted by the Nigerian meteorological agency, NIMET.
He, however, charged the people to desist from throwing debris and other solid wastes into rivers and streams to allow for the free flow of water.
He urged residents to make use of the 293 Osun emergency toll free number in case of emergency.
Reports say, apart from Oke Arungbo, Abija, capital and Ataoja estate affected by yesterday’s flooding in Osogbo, the natural phenomenon also left its woes on farming communities in Obokun local government, as specialized drone was deployed by the Osun government to analyze the impact of the heavy downfall.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian meteorological agency, NIMET had earlier this year listed Obokun and local governments as the high-risk areas to flooding, while it equally mentioned that 15 other councils would have a touch of flooding this raining season.
