Biodun Esan, Ilorin
Kwara State has appeal to citizens of the state to desist from indiscriminate dump of refuse in drainages and all waterways.
This is contained in a joint statement signed by. Mrs Remilekun Banigbe and Rotimi Iliasu, Commissioners for Environment and Works and Transport respectively on Friday in Ilorin.
They made the call as a result of flood in some parts of Ilorin after heavy rain on Thursday night.
The commissioners also identified building houses on waterways as major causes of flooding in the state capital.
“Apart from the obvious increase in rainfalls nationwide owing to climate change, incessant dump of waste in our drainage remains a major reason for the flooding, as refuse continues to block free flow of water.
“No matter how many drainage the government constructs and the number of times such drainage are desilted, continuous indiscriminate of refuse will always subject everyone to avoidable losses, hardship and embarrassment as we have seen over time,” the statement added
The commissioner however sympathized with the residents of Ilorin whose houses were flooded as a result of the unusual downpour.
The government specifically commiserated with residents of Pakata area in Ilorin West Local Government where a mud house caved in, killing a woman in the process.
“We beseech Almighty God to grant the dead eternal rest and comfort the family. It was indeed an unfortunate incident.
“Different teams of experts and administrators from the Ministries of Environment and Works& Transports have visited the various areas that were flooded.
“Government is already taking steps to attend to the Akerebiata bridge that partially caved in as a result of the downpour.
“The government, meanwhile, urges residents of Akerebiata and all other road users to make use of the alternative route of Gambari-Sobi Road pending when the repair works on the bridge will be completed. The government regrets the inconveniences this might cause everyone.
“Once again, the government commiserates with the family of the woman who died in Pakata when the house collapsed in the aftermath of the downpour,” the statement said.
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