Ondo govt intensifies flood control, warns residents against blocking waterways

By Precious Oluwole

As part of efforts to prevent flooding during the rainy season, the Ondo State Government has strengthened flood control operations in Ondo town and Akure, urging residents to desist from indiscriminate refuse disposal and the erection of structures that obstruct waterways.

 

Speaking during an inspection tour, on Tuesday, the Technical Assistant to the Governor on Erosion Control and Flood-related Matters, Engr. Elisha Ebijimi, explained that the state had returned to critical flood-prone locations to continue channelisation and drainage works started last year.

Engr. Ebijimi said the continued intervention followed earlier commitments and directives by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to protect residents from the hazards of flooding, particularly as the rainy season approaches its peak.

He said the state had made adequate preparations to mitigate flooding, noting that no incidents had been recorded despite rainfall experienced at the beginning of the year.

According to him, the effectiveness of the interventions had earned the state several awards, which he said reflected its level of preparedness and performance in flood management.

While inspecting flood-prone areas in Ondo town, Engr. Ebijimi cautioned residents against dumping refuse into waterways and urged them to assist in monitoring channelisation corridors to ensure the unhindered flow of water.

At the Isikan axis, he attributed persistent flooding to a wrongly positioned culvert, explaining that it was constructed too high and improperly located on the right-hand side of the drainage channel.

He further disclosed that the drainage channel had been clogged with refuse dumped by residents and road users, adding that the affected spot would be addressed in the near future.

Engr. Ebijimi said flood control work at the location was expected to begin by the end of March, noting that amphibious machines had already been deployed across the state, with one stationed in Ondo town and another in Odigbo Local Government Area.

“Last year, we deployed the two machines to Akure South, and this year again, we are going to deploy the amphibious machines to Akure South,” he said.

Also speaking during the inspection, the Director of Environment in Ondo West Local Government, Mrs. Stella Akinsanmi, said flooding challenges in Ondo town were mainly the result of illegal construction on waterways rather than waste disposal alone.

She said strong structures had been erected directly on water channels, including areas around Fagun, thereby obstructing the natural flow of water.

According to her, the local government had intensified sensitisation efforts by visiting homes to educate residents on building setbacks between houses and waterways.

She added that buildings affected by flood control measures had been identified and marked for demolition since last year.

Residents and other stakeholders who spoke during the inspection described flooding as a recurring problem in the area.

In Ondo town, Prophet Olabode Johnson described the intervention as timely and also appreciated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for extending the works to the area, recalling that flooding had caused extensive damage to property two years ago.

Tosin Iluyomade, a commercial motorcyclist, welcomed the road channelisation in Ondo town, describing the governor as a “talk-and-do” leader. Observing the excavation near the Exporter area, he noted that although parts of the town had received intervention last year, flooding around Mother and Child remained unaddressed, urging the government to extend the works.

In Akure, Barrister Stephen Ejidike said the government had responded promptly to community concerns, noting that officials had visited twice following reports submitted by the Special Assistant.

He explained that a nearby filling station exacerbated flooding, with water seeping beneath structures, including his law chamber. Residents had previously attempted private mitigation, and intervention teams led by Engr. Ebijimi had assisted last year, but the intensity of current rains required renewed government action.

Comrade Taiwo Lawrence Fayan also commended the government and the Special Assistant, stressing the need for a wider drainage system.

He described the first rainfall of the year as “extremely bad, terrible and tactically suicidal,” noting that floodwater often exceeded the capacity of existing drains.

He called for urgent intervention, proper channelisation, central drainage, strict enforcement, and prosecution of those dumping refuse into waterways.

The inspection tour covered Fagun and Valentino areas in Ondo town, as well as Ondo Road and Oyemekun Road in Akure.