Flood: Oyo Assembly Urges Executive To Provide Relief Materials, Take Steps Towards Preventing Re-occurrence
Worried by the recent flood that ravaged some parts of the state occasioned by the recent downpour between 21st July to 24th July, 2023, the Oyo State House of Assembly has sympathized with the affected residents and called on the Executive Arm of government to take proactive steps towards addressing the perennial flood disaster in the State.
This followed a motion moved by Hon. Bamidele Adeola representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju state constituency and co-sponsored by Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi – Deputy Speaker from Ona Ara constituency, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin – Leader of the House from Ogbomoso South constituency and Hon. Waheed Akintayo from Oluyole Constituency.
The House noticed with empathy the devastating effect the recent downpour had on the citizens of the state especially in Iseyin, Okaka, Bank Olodo, Omi Apata, Lagelu, Ido, Akinyele, Egbeda, Ona Ara, Ibadan South West, North-West and Ibadan North respectively.
The House pointed out that residents in the affected areas lost property worth several millions of naira which include farmlands, fish ponds, shops and residential buildings, noting that mostly affected people are residents around Iwo road, Olodo, and Iseyin when one of the bridges connecting Ibadan to Iwo in Osun State and another one around Itan – Aseyin Grammar School road in Iseyin collapsed.
According to the motion, “the incident of flooding in year 2011 is still fresh in our memories. The pathetic and dreadful incident claimed lives, children inclusive in the city of Ibadan. Hence, we pray for non-reoccurrence of this devastating incident in Oyo State. The recent flood incidents across the State, however, is a pointer and signal for more preparedness and proactiveness on the part of Executive Arm of government to put machinery in motion towards addressing incidents in flooding, prevent future occurrence and provide succour to the victims.”
Consequently, the House in its resolve urged the Oyo State government to direct the Oyo State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA) to provide relief materials for the victims of flood incidents of 21st – 24th July, 2023; direct the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to urgently begin the dredging and clearing the waterways or rivers across the State in order to avert the negative consequences of flooding in the State.
The House further urged the government to direct the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Ibadan Urban Flood Management Projects (IUMFP) to commence the rehabilitation of the collapsed bridges in Iseyin, Okaka, Iwo road and other bridges affected by recent flood in order to ensure safety of lives and property of the citizenry and equally intensify efforts towards sanitizing the people in the State on the danger associated with dumping of refuse on waterways and other flood prone areas in the State.
Furthermore, the House urged the government to adopt the application of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to control flood disaster in the State permanently.
