Oyo State Governor, Engineer Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde announced the willingness of his government to take proactive measures that would curb flooding in the state on Wednesday.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, made the pledge at the closing ceremony of the workshop on Ibadan flood forecast, early warning and implementation support programme held in the state capital, Ibadan.
During the event, the government stated that his government is ready to support the implementation of the Ibadan Urban Flood Management and other ongoing intervention projects (lUFMP) in the state.
Makinde further explained that the lUFMP is a people-oriented project set up to change the narrative of incessant and ravaging flood disasters, adding that the project was in consonance with his campaign promises.
According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Governor said the IUFMP “will furnish our people with prior alerts about impending flood disasters.”
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Adisa added that the reason behind it is so a scientific initiative that will make the people aware that there is a possibility of a looming flood disaster was being launched.
The statement reads;
“Beyond building bridges, culverts, drain lines, and access roads which are on their own crucial towards ensuring the good life, we as a government also have a duty to give full support to the implementation of the IUFMP initiative that will furnish our people with prior alerts about impending flood disasters.
“This will enable our people to take proactive steps for the preservation of lives and properties. This is a step in the right direction and it will continue to enjoy maximum support of the State Government.”
“It is pertinent that we are able to x-ray the factors that can ultimately protect our people from vulnerability to flooding, through adequate knowledge building and information flow on impending flooding and looming dangers. Such information, readily disseminated well ahead of time will save lives.
“I have been told that this workshop, which started yesterday is a two-day programme aimed at sensitising State officials, key stakeholder-agencies and representatives of communities situated along with flood-prone areas, while also informing high-level office-holders about the project,”.
Governor Makinde further stated that the State would be expecting value for its investment in the project, which he noted should be in terms of immediate gains in the area of safety of lives and properties, as well as measurable capacity building for our homegrown technocrats and public servants who would be required to sustain the initiative, post-IUFMP.
