The Ekiti State Government has commenced dredging of waterways in flood prone areas in Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of the State in furtherance of its commitment to ensuring that all part of the State is free from flooding,
Ekiti News reports that the State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Erelu Tosin- Aluko Ajisafe speaking to newsmen while monitoring the project in Ilawe, said the Administration of Governor Oyebanji was fully committed to addressing environmental challenges and preventing disasters in all the nooks and crannies in the State.
The Commissioner urged residents to join hands with Government in waging war on indiscriminate dumping of refuse in water ways ,river channels as well as erecting structures on floodplains , two activities which she said are responsible for flooding in most parts of the country.
It would be recalled that having completed the dredging of the Ofin stream and river Elemi and other adjourning flood prone areas of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State Environmental Protection and Watershed Management Agency proceeded to Ekiti South West Local Government Area for dredging and desiltation activities as part of concerted efforts to reduce flood risk and providing relief to residents in the areas.
The residents of Ilawe Ekiti and other communities are hopeful that these proactive measures of Government would effectively prevent the anticipated flooding of some parts of the the State as contained in an advisory issued by NIMET in the second quarter of the year.