•Govt warns against refuse dumping in water channels
The Oyo State government, through the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, has said 64 streams will be dredged and all blocked drainages cleared across the state.
The government warned the residents to desist from dumping refuse into the rivers, streams and water channels.
It said offenders would be treated in accordance with the provision of the state’s environmental laws and regulations.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Isaac Ishola, spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, on the steps the Abiola Ajimobi administration had taken to prevent flooding across the state.
The commissioner said the residents needed to complement government efforts by restraining from activities that can block the flood plains.
He said the state government had continuously educated the public on environmental sanitation, adding that this was besides the expansion of some rivers for free flow of water and dredging of others.
Ishola noted that in line with the safeguard requirement of IUFMP sub-projects, the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) safeguard team will display Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for dredging of streams and clearing of blocked drains to sensitise the public on the social and environmental impact of the project.
The commissioner said the ESMP action would mitigate, if the need arises, the negative impact of the project, as stipulated by the guidelines of World Bank projects.
According to him, there will be updates on Environment and Social Impact Assessment for Eleyele Dam rehabilitation to ensure that the project follows best practices without any hazard to the residents.
Ishola added that the 64 streams to be dredged are within the 11 local government areas and their local council development areas (LCDAs) in Ibadan.
The commissioner assured the people that the dredging will start immediately the disclosure and display of Environmental Social Management Plan is completed.