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Tag: Bolaji Oyeleye

  • 1800 flood victims in Ogun receives relief materials

    The Ogun State government has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to 1800 flood victims in Abeokuta North and South Local Government Areas of the State.

    The State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun during the Flag Off distribution exercise to the July 13, 2018 flood victims at Arcade ground Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said flooding was a global phenomenon, which occurred as a result of climate change and had continued to wreck more havoc in different part of the world.

    Represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, Amosun disclosed that, structures mostly affected were situated at flood prone areas, with poor sanitation, calling on relevant agencies of government to be more effective at ensuring good environmental sanitation, so as to prevent re-occurrence.

    Read Also: 23 suspected cultists arrested in Ogun

    Also speaking at the event, the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr. Mustafa Maihaja, represented by the Chief Planning Officer, Mr. Segun Afolayan, noted that 1800 victims registered with NEMA and their items were ready for distribution, urging the Federal government to sign the NEMA bill into law so as to effectively exercise its duties.

    In his remark, the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye, stated that, relief materials distributed included;  foodstuffs, building materials, mattress among others, imploring beneficiaries to effectively utilize them.

    Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mrs. Anike Ogunsola and Mr. Abayomi Idowu, while appreciating both Federal and State government for the relief materials given to them, called for more measures to promote sanitation and urged government to ensure proper enforcement of environmental laws.

  • Waste management: Ogun engages service of private firm

    Waste management: Ogun engages service of private firm

    Ogun State Government has engaged the service of a private firm – Solous MRF 1 Limited, to manage municipal waste across the state, as part of measures to promote clean, safe and healthy environment.

    The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, made this known in statement on Thursday in Abeokuta.

    He said that the firm was hired on Feb. 12, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two parties, which was followed by a joint technical meeting on Feb. 20.

    “The Ministry of Environment will provide all necessary technical support to ensure that the service provider achieve its mandates as stated in the MoU,” Oyeleye added.

    According to him, the firm, which specialises in waste management, recycling and conversion of waste to revisable energy, is expected to manage all levels of municipal solid waste cycle, including waste collection, processing and disposal in the state.

    The commissioner also noted that the partnership would enhance effectiveness, efficiency and optimal performance in solid waste management in the state, with the goal of creating an outstanding waste management sector.

    He explained that the partnership reiterated government’s commitment to actualising its plan for an enviable environmental and infrastructural development of the state.

    NAN

  • Ogun to spend N203.3m to control gully erosion

    Ogun to spend N203.3m to control gully erosion

    The Ogun Government says it will spend N203.3 million to control gully erosion in 2018.

    Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, the State Commissioner for Environment, disclosed this on Monday, while defending the ministry’s 2018 budget proposal before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation at the assembly complex, Abeokuta.

    Oyeleye noted that the money would be spent on execution of designs already prepared for amelioration and rehabilitation of some already environmentally-degraded areas in the state.

    Represented by Mr Kunle Osota, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, the commissioner added that N203.3 million was to prevent degradation and arrest gully formation that could cause damage to the ecosystem.

    Oyeleye said N87.9 million had been earmarked for the rehabilitation and repair of water ways across the state.

    Read also: Ogun to spend N30.7bn on roads in 2018

    He added that the ministry had proposed N25 million on repairing and rehabilitation of existing markets and parks across the state.

    ‘‘The ministry will embark on beautification and landscaping at various locations such as Totoro, Ago-Oba roundabout, Ijaiye roundabout, Ake roundabout and Sagamu /Ikenne roundabout.

    “In 2018, we want to acquire 12 Mercedes-Benz Compactor Trucks , 18 Global Power Push Mower, four tricycle Tip Loaders for effective evacuation of refuse across the state,’’ he said.

    He said the ministry had proposed N4.5 billion as capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure would gulp N625 million with N665 million as expected revenue.

    NAN

  • Ogun govt to residents: Vacate areas near Ogun River, others

    Ogun govt to residents: Vacate areas near Ogun River, others

    Ogun State government on Wednesday warned residents living near Ogun River and other flood planes to vacate immediately to safe locations to avoid loss of lives following imminent flooding in the state.

    The state government said the warning became necessary as a result of the prediction of the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), of likely occurrence of flood in Ogun State and 34 other states of the Federation.

    The Commissioner for Environment, Bolaji Oyeleye, who issued the warning in a statement, advised residents along the banks of River Ogun and other flood-prone areas to be prepared to move to safer areas.

    Commissioner for Environment explained that there would be flooding in eight major rivers across the country, including Ogun River.

    He noted that that the state is expected to witness above normal rainfall, which could lead to severe flooding.

    “It is in the best interest of residents living in flood prone areas, particularly along the Ogun River, to be ready to move to safer grounds to forestall loss of lives and property,’’ he said.

    According to him, cushion the effect of the predicted flooding, residents should imbibe good environmental practices, such as desisting from erecting buildings on flood plains, de-silting drainage channels and stop dumping refuse in waterways.

    Oyeleye reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that residents have an environment that is safe and conducive for living and for business to thrive.

     

  • Flood imminent in parts of Ogun – Govt

    Flood imminent in parts of Ogun – Govt

    Ogun State Government on Wednesday warned that some parts of the state are prone to flooding this year and advised residents to adopt safety measures by desisting from indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

    The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye who raised the alarm at a press briefing in Abeokuta, the State capital, said the 2017 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) indicates that Ogun State would experience “above normal rain fall”.

    Other states predicted to be affected by flooding these years, Oyeleye added,  are Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Kwara, Oyo and Adamawa.

    Relying on data from NiMet, he listed Ogun major cities to experience heavy rain fall this year to include Abeokuta with 242 days of 1,295mm rain fall, Ewekoro, 229 days of 2075mm and Ijebu-Ode, 245 days of 1,526mm.

    Other cities are, Ikenne with 240 days of 1,742mm, Ipokia, 247 days of 1872 days, Otta, 243 days of 1810 days and Sagamu with 240 days of 1753mm rain fall.

    According to him, NiMet prediction also revealed that extended rain fall between three to eight days is expected in the cited States.

    The Commissioner advised residents especially those living close to canals,  drainages and other flood planes to desist from obstructing water pathways with refuse.

    Oyeleye explained that there could also be a heavy release of water from the two dams –  Oyan and Ikere Gorge dams, in the State and further aggravate flooding situation.

    He disclosed that the NiMet has also predicted that many Nigerians would likely experience “above danger heat stress this year due to the combination of heat and humidity.”

    “The impact is that exposure to excessive heat for too long could cause heat stress which may, in turn, lead to several illnesses collectively called hyperthermia,” he said.

    Also, the Coordinator of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Aremu Adebakin said the agency had started sensitising residents on likely occurrence of flooding and the need to adopt safety measures.

    Adebakin also urged people living in dilapidated buildings to renovate them or evacuate as soon as possible while others living close to river banks were asked to leave home for the period of the rainy season to avoid loss of lives and property.

    “People living in dilapidated buildings or near river banks should move and not wait for disasters to strike and expect the government to come to their aid,” he said.