The Oyo State Government has called on residents of the state to cooperate with the Seyi Makinde led administration through the Ministry of Environment to prevent flooding while attributing recent flooding in Ibadan Metropolis to human interactions.
A statement issued by the Director General, Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio-Economic Development, Dr Morohunkola Thomas noted that the season of heavy rains is here, hence the need for all hands to be on deck.
Dr Thomas urged residents of the state to desist from blocking waterways and drainages, indiscriminate waste disposal and ensure proper drainage systems.
The OYMASED DG further explained that the state government has done a lot through the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Early Warning System, Channelization of drainages, construction of bridges etc to ensure that flooding is not experienced again in the state.
While urging the residents of the state to observe precautionary measures,the OYMASED DG said Ibadan Urban Flood Early Warning System can only predict floods that happened as a result of rain and overflowing banks but not floods that happened as a result of human abuse of the environment such as blockage of drains and indiscriminate waste disposal.
He therefore appealed to Oyo State residents to corporate with the state government in its continuous effort to prevent flooding at this period of heavy rains.