Osun govt demolishes 30 houses blocking waterways to avert flooding

The Osun State Government has demolished about 30 houses built on waterways as part of efforts to prevent flooding, following an alert from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).

Earlier, the government had issued warnings and ultimatums to residents with houses in swampy areas and along riverbanks to remove the illegal structures or face demolition.

Speaking to The Nation on Sunday, Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Mayowa Adejoorin, confirmed that 15 structures were removed in Osogbo, six in Ile-Ife, six in Ilesa, and others in various towns across the state.

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He said the action is aimed at safeguarding lives and property by preventing flooding and the potential displacement of residents.

 “We have taken proactive steps to ameliorate imminent flooding in the state following the prediction of NiMET. We have tried our best to dredge all our waterways, and we remove all the refuse dumped in the waterways which may cause blockage.

Where we have illegal structures, we give them notice to remove them and after the notice, if we notice that it is not removed, we demolish it. We started dredging last December. Governor Ademola Adeleke has been very magnanimous in supporting the ministry and putting the safety of the residents first.”

Adejoorin assured that with the preventive measures put in place by the government, Osun State will not recorded flooding that will affect residents of the state.