• Govt to buy compactors, fire fighting equipment
Oyo State Government has approved the dredging of 11 flood-prone rivers across the state, including Iseyin, Oyo, Ibadan, Igbo Ora, Ogbomoso, among others, as a proactive measure to address flood during the rainy season.
The government has also approved N690million for the procurement of more compactor trucks to enhance refuse collection and disposal across the state.
It okayed procurement of fire fighting auxiliary and special equipment for Oyo State Fire Service Agency, to enhance fire fighting, rescue operations and protect firemen from occupational hazards.
The approvals formed part of the decisions reached at the state Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday.
Conveying the decisions, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the meeting acted on a report by Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), which predicted that a number of states, including Oyo, would experience flooding this year.
Read Also: CBEX: Why Nigerians will always fall for Ponzi schemes
He said: “The state government is taking proactive measures in addressing flooding during the rainy season. The Ministry of Environment has been given the go-ahead to procure more compactor trucks to enhance refuse collection in the municipality.
“Equally, auxiliary and special equipment are being provided for the state Fire Service Agency to combat fire incidents.
“Those were some of the resolutions at the Executive Council meeting held yesterday.
“The meeting recalled that Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) in their reports predicted that a number of states, including Oyo, would experience flooding this year.
“In order to protect lives and property, the exco approved dredging of 11 flood-prone rivers across the state, including Iseyin, Oyo, Ibadan, Igbo Ora, Ogbomoso, among others.
“Recall the fire incidents in some markets across the state, the latest of which is Aleshinloye market, Ibadan. To this end, exco approved the procurement of fire fighting auxiliary and special equipment for Oyo State Fire Service Agency, to enhance fire fighting, rescue operations and protect firemen from occupational hazards
“Approval was also sought and given to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to procure compactor trucks, to supplement efficiency in refuse collection. The approval for the three projects amounts to N690 million.
“The exco equally considered and approved the procurement and installation of transformer and generator for Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo Monumental Park and energy storage upgrade for the dualised Ladoke Akintola Airport Road.’’