The Federal Ministry of Environment has revealed that the second phase of dredging of the Asa River will begin in a few weeks, adding that this will help intensify efforts to prevent flooding in Kwara.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Shehu Ibrahim, made this known on Wednesday in Ilorin, during an inspection visit to the Asa River.
The state government had assured the ministry that those residing around the river would be monitored and stopped from dumping refuse in the water channel.
“After the evacuation, desilting and dredging of the river, people were still dumping refuse in the river.
“This is something we need to do with the state government in order to stop the act of dumping refuse in the river and to achieve our goal,” he said.
Related Posts
He also said that the second phase of the project would provide preventive measures that would constrain the people from dumping refuse in the river.
Also, Mr Bello El-Rufai, the contractor handling the project, said it had reduced flooding in the state to the barest minimum.
According to El-Rufai, in 2022, no case of flood was reported around the communities where the project was being executed.
The contractor said their work was delayed due to rainfall that disrupted the construction work from August to December.
“The time given for the project was 18 months, but it has been extended by three months to enable us to finish our work,” El-Rufai said.
