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A socio-cultural organisation, Oyo Patriotic Front, has commended the Oyo State Government for its pro-activeness and commitment to flood prevention and control in the state since the flood disaster on August 26th 2011.
The group in a statement by its Chairman, Chief Jare Adepoju, stated that the seriousness with which the government is addressing the flood alert issued by Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA) that Oyo State and particularly Ibadan, is prone to flooding this year is worthy of commendation.
Buttressing his point, Chief Adepoju stressed that despite the heavy rains that occurred in the state last Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, September 13, 2016, no serious flooding was recorded. This he attributed to the sensitization efforts and the physical infrastructural activities carried out by the government.
According to him, “the recent down pour in the state confirmed the predictions of NHSA that there would be heavy rains in some states which might lead to flood. Oyo State was listed as one of the states and we are glad about the proactive measures put in place by the state government.
Adepoju added that, “We want to commend Senator Abiola Ajimobi for running a responsible and responsive government. The state government had embarked on sensitization programmes, dredging of rivers and streams to prepare for the heavy rains. Only God knows what would have happened if the governor had not mandated the relevant MDAs to do the needful to avert flooding in the state.
“Governor Ajimobi’s prompt response is an indication of the seriousness he has attached to governance and the respect he has for the sanctity of human lives. We urge the governor and his team not to rest on their oars and ensure that no flood is recorded in the state during this rainy season and thereafter,” he stressed.
Adepoju also charged the people of the state to help the government by shunning activities capable of the blocking of waterways and flood plains, in order to prevent a reoccurrence of flood disaster commending their contributions through better waste disposal habits.