The Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led government in Oyo State has assured residents and citizens of the state that necessary machinery has been put in place to ensure that there is no flooding in the state this rainy season, emphasizing that the state will continue to prevent natural disasters.
The State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Isaac Ishola gave the assurance on Wednesday while receiving members of the National Environment Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in his office.
Mr. Ishola, who revealed that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA) has reported Oyo State to be among the states that will experience heavy down pour this year again, promised that the state government has put all hands on deck to ensure a clean and safe environment.
“The state government has embarked on sensitization programmes and dredging of rivers and streams have started in preparation for the heavy rains. Our administration is responsive and we attach seriousness to the business of governance. We also have respect for the sanctity of human lives and this is why we have put necessary machinery in motion to prepare for the heavy rains,” the commissioner explained.
He noted that the efforts of NESREA in the environmental sustainability cannot be overemphasized, adding that the present administration in the state is working earnestly to ensure a sustainable and clean environment attractive to the investors.
The Commissioner reiterated that two mobile environmental tribunal courts already approved by the government, sit on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, and The State Waste Management
Authority to prosecute sanitation offenders, stressing that prosecuting the offenders is not to place hardship nor to increase revenue but to ensure compliance with the State Environmental Sanitation and Waste management Regulations.
In his remarks, the Oyo State Coordinator, National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr. Obagiri Durotimi, said that his visit to the Ministry was to introduce himself
officially as well as to synergize with the ministry to ensure environmental sustainability, noting that environmental issue is a collective responsibility for every individual.
Packaged by Oyedapo Oyewole
