The Oyo State House of Assembly has expressed concern over the level of flood recorded in several parts of the state in the last few days and has called for pro-active steps from all stakeholders towards preventing it.
To this end, the house during its Tuesday plenary has directed its Committee on Local Government to liaise with the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters towards assessing the state of dredging equipment and machines particularly excavators in all the Local Government across the state.
The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin said aside from knowing the condition of the dredging machines, the Committee will equally inquire about the planned activities of the Local Government in the area of dredging of waterways and clearing of blocked drainage to allow for free flow of water during heavy downpour.
The house also asked its Committee on Works and Transport to meet with the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project IUFMP and the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency OYSROMA on measures they have put in place or plan to do especially in flood prone areas to address flood.
Hon Ogundoyin stressed that though flood management was a big issue in countries across the world, there’s the vital need for residents of the state to avoid illegal dumping of refuse in rivers and drainage to ensure free flow of water.
The resolutions of the house followed a matter of public importance raise by member representing,Ibadan South West state Constituency, Hon Yusuf Adebisi.
Other lawmakers in their contributions condemned other harmful practices of residents which include building on waterways and waterlogged areas .