Ogun intensifies road repairs, erosion control

The Ogun State Public Works Agency has commenced preliminary work on Laderin Road linking Prof. Wole Soyinka Train Station, Osoba Bridge, Lagos-Abeokuta Road, Adatan Road, and Igbore-Ijeja Road, among others.

The Special Adviser on Public Works, Babatunde Adesina, revealed this while featuring on a radio programme in Abeokuta, the state capital, saying the government had invited local government chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders in all 20 LGAs, to submit three roads for construction

The governor’s aide stated that the present administration was determined to provide good road infrastructure for the comfort of the people, noting that palliatives were being applied to roads that needed urgent attention.

“Since the inception of Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration, a huge amount of money has been invested in the reconstruction, rehabilitation and upgrading of roads, including federal roads across the state. In fact, over 500 kilometres of roads have been rehabilitated so far,’’ Adesina said on the radio programme.

Also, in efforts aimed at preventing flooding and averting the Federal Government’s prediction of river flooding in the state this year, the state government noted it had embarked on Flood and Erosion Control Intervention Exercise.

A Sunday statement noted that the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Flood and Erosion Control, Femi Akinwunmi, said the flood control exercise involved the dredging of river and stream courses as well as desilting of drainage channels statewide.

According to him, the rivers and streams undergoing dredging to avert river flooding in the state include the Opa-Aro River in Isheri, Ifo LGA, Oke Afa Stream in Magboro, Obafemi Owode LGA, Giyanu Stream in Ilase, Ipokia LGA, Sokori River and its tributaries and Labaiwa stream in Abeokuta North and South LGAs.

He said the Onibuku Stream in Iju in Ado Odo LGA, Odo Funfun River in Oja Odan in Yewa North LGA, Sensen River in Sagamu LGA and Yemule River in Ijebu -Ode LGA among others are also lined up to be dredged.

“The dredging of these rivers and streams and desilting of the drainage channels are meant to improve their water-carrying capacities through the removal of sand as well as free them from refuse dumped indiscriminately into them which inhibits the free flow of rainwater that brings about backflows that results into flooding and its unpalatable consequences.

“As a responsible government that cares for the well-being of its residents, the administration had no choice but to take on this responsibility to avert predicted river flooding in the state this year and free its residents from any of its consequences as rainy season should be a blessing to the people and not a curse.”

He appealed to residents of the state to play their part by desilting all drainage channels in front of their businesses and houses, and to shun dumping waste or refuse into drainages.

Last week, the Federal Government confirmed that it had activated various emergency centres across the country to help in tackling the flood situation in states.

It also urged residents living in flood-prone locations to move away from floodplains, stressing that responses from citizens in some of the affected states had been below expectation.

The government disclosed this through the National Emergency Management Agency, as some state governments announced the commencement of river dredging in their domains, while others ordered residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate.