…as KWSG warns residents of flood prone areas to migrate
The Kwara State Government has passed a strong warning to those living in riverine and other flood prone areas in the state to as a matter of urgency migrate to a safer place in order to prevent loss of lives and properties that might occure due to the looming massive floods predicted by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (Nimet).
This warning was contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Environment, Mrs Samuel Elizabeth, and made available to newsmen in the state, saying that Nimet had predicted that some parts of Kwara, especially Kosubosu and other riverine areas will experience upswing of rainfall that will lead to massive flooding.
The satement disclosed that Nimet had predicted that, “there will be an upswing in the volume, duration and pattern of rainfall which in turn will lead to massive flooding that can be attributed to the effect of climate change on our environment, most especially, at Kosubosu and other riverine areas.
Mrs Elizabeth disclosed that this unfriendly change in our climate is caused by natural phenomena, warning that there is a need to prepare for it in order not to catch us unaware.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has, since inception, swung into action on the challenges associated with this change through the Asa River dredging, construction of embankment, desilting of drainages, provision of additional waste bins, expansion of the dump site for proper waste disposal, encouragement of wastes recycling, irrigation system for Farmers, and regular advocacy and sensitisations on environmental issues via the media and face-to-face interaction and enforcement.
“On this note, the Ministry of Environment implores all the people living in the Riverine Areas or all other related and floods affected Areas to migrate from such Environments/Areas to conducive and habitable environments for the safety of life and properties.
“In addition, to avert loss of lives and property, we urge the good people of Kwara to kindly get all necessary approvals before embarking on buildings of any kind, desist from building houses close to or on the waterways, heed flood warnings, stop dumping refuse along watercourses, desilting your surrounding drainage, stop open burning of refuse, plant trees, and to promptly alert the ministry on environmental issues around you as the Government is doing all that is possible within its resources to encourage sustainable living and provide sustainable relief for Kwarans within the environmental spaces.
“Members of the public are reminded that as our activities destroy the environment, our society keeps degrading and this in turn comes to haunt us all.
“Therefore, it is the collective responsibility of every citizen in the state to improve the quality of our environment, to make it a better place for all and sundry” the statement added.
Ends
