Ekiti State Government has begun the cleaning and clearing of drainage channels across the 16 local governments, in preparation for the rainy season.
The General Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Olajide Borode, who made this known yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, said the agency was bothered about the challenges usually witnessed during the rainy season.
He said SEMA was prepared to prevent heavy flooding, adding that the preparedness of the agency was based on the report of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMet).
Borode said SEMA had identified three councils that had been predicted to be affected by the imminent flooding, warning people in the downstreaming communities to relocate to safer areas.
The SEMA boss said the warning was necessary because of possibility of flooding in the identified councils, and urged residents to desist from dumping refuse in waterways and drainage, to prevent the occurrence.
He said: “From the prediction of NIMet, we are expecting flood in Ado Ekiti, Ikere and Irepodun/Ifelodun local governments, but the state government is doing something about the dredging of canals in these councils.
“NIMet and NEMA had written to the state government about it. The letter was addressed to the governor. But even before the letter came, the state government has been doing a lot to see that the predicted flood that may affect the state will be minimal.”
On the preparation for the rainy season, he said: “About three months ago, Governor Kayode Fayemi directed and approved money for the Ministry of Environment to make sure they dredge all canals across the state. The job is still ongoing.
“Also, the state government procured about two amphibious dredgers that are in use now. By and large, we don’t expect to experience serious flooding with the way the government is clearing the canals and drains across the state.”