The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in Oyo State has commenced the implementation of erosion control projects in seven local government areas of the state.
This is contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, on Monday in Ibadan.
The statement said that the State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Mr Omowunmi Yakub, made this known at a meeting with the community leaders and other stakeholders of the benefiting communities.
Yakub said that the purpose was to tackle the menace of erosion and other environmental disaster under the World Bank Assisted Project in the state.
He said the state government had approved the clearing of waterways in all the mapped sites of the seven local government areas in the state.
According to him, the seven erosion sites to work on include: Olusoji/Alaro stream, Oluyole in Ibadan, South West Local Government Area (LGA), Ahoyaya stream, Olodo in Egbeda LGA and Ologogoro/Oremoje in Iseyin LGA.
Others are: Orogun stream in Saki west LGA, Isunwin stream, Isale Alaafin High School, Oyo in Atiba LGA, Iwagba/Agbonyin stream in Ogbomoso North LGA and Aborerin stream, Eruwa in Ibarapa East LGA.
He explained that work would commence immediately on the already mapped erosion sites to reduce residents vulnerability to flooding.
“We need to engage the communities and stakeholders where the projects will be carried out, as well, seek for their cooperation for effective implementation, maintenance and sustainability,” he said.
Yakub implored residents of the various benefiting communities to cooperate with contractors handling the project to ensure that the work was carried out within the stipulated time frame without any interference from any quarter.
He noted that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration was committed to tackling the issue of flooding in the state to alleviate the suffering of the people.
“Makinde’s vision is to put in place measures that would mitigate the menace of erosion and other natural disasters.
“His administration will not relent in its efforts to improve the livelihood of the citizenry in the state,” he said.
Yakub urged the benefiting communities to desist from construction of structures and dumping of refuse into waterways to prevent flooding.