THE Osun State Government through its Ministry of Environment and Sanitation has commenced dredging of major waterways in the state to avert flood disaster as the raining season is approaching.
Leading other senior government officials to visit the venue of the dredging, Hon. Mayowa Adejoorin, commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for being proactive and responsive.
He maintained that the administration of Governor Adeleke was committed to the well-being and welfare of the people of Osun, hence his resolve to continue providing good leadership.
The first visit was to the Osun River, Gbodofon Bridge, in Osogbo, where the dredging had commenced.
The commissioner registered his displeasure on how some people dump refuse in the river, noting that this could cause serious flooding, as he warned inhabitants of the environment to desist from such attitude.
Hon. Adejoorin said he led his management team to conduct oversight functions regarding the on-going dredging.
“As you can see that we are here to check the ongoing dredging. You know our governor is someone who doesn’t take no as an answer. Also, once he gives directive, such directive must be followed meticulously.
“This year dredging has commenced, I want to urge our people to cooperate with the government in making sure that we have no case of flooding this year. This can only happen the moment the residents desist from dumping refuse indiscriminately and on our waterways. As government is doing its beat by making sure our waterways are expanded, residents must also do theirs.”
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, Richard Oyegbami, commended the state government for being proactive and for not paying lip service to the welfare of the people.
“For us not witnessing flooding in Osun, it’s as a result of the proactiveness of the State Government and I must commend our amiable Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, for attending to the yearnings of the people. We are here today because the government is responsive and responsible”, he said.
Engr. Kamardeen Olatunde, director, Flood Control and Engineering Services, Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, maintained that the approach being introduced by the current administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke was doing was unprecedented compared with what it used to be.
“This is massive, as you can see. We have three heavy machines that are working here. The expansion is good and it will allow free flow of water, but we must say this, our people must also comply with government’s directive in disposing their wastes. It is an offence dumping refuse on our roads”, he said.
Residents of the environment were so elated seeing the on-going dredging as they trooped out, pledging their support to the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Elder Francis Oyewuyi prayed for the governor and members of his cabinet.
Counting his ordeal during the administration of former governor, Gboyega Oyetola, Oyewuyi said despite his suggestions on how the dredging should go during the year, they turned deaf ears and at the end, he lost over 100 pigs to the flooding.
He further said, “Let me say it here, Governor Adeleke is a loving person and we are enjoying his government and his style, he should continue in that direction. I can assure him that his second term will be an easy ride, by the grace of God.”
