In its effort to create awareness and sensitize people on the need to prevent flood in Ibadan, the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP) recently held the second edition of Ibadan Flood Awareness and Stakeholders Thrust (IFAST) Conference.
The event which tagged ‘Ibadan flood awareness and stakeholders’ engagement meeting on flood prevention, mitigation and preparedness’ held at the Banquet Hall, Premier Hotel Ibadan and was organized in conjunction with Oyo state Emergency Management agency OYSEMA.
The State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Chief Isaac Ishola in his welcome address noted that despite the warnings and efforts to enhance sanitized environment, some decedents in the society are thwarting the efforts of government agencies.
He maintained that the government would not be deterred by their attitude towards change of habits but continue to give necessary amenities and infrastructure needed to enhance hygienic environment and control flood.
The Administrative Secretary, Oyo State Emergency Management Agency OYSEMA, Mr Akin Makinde in his welcome address said the essence of the conference was to further sensitize the public on the need to prevent flooding disaster in the society.
He noted that since 2011 flood emergency which claimed lives and damaged properties, Oyo state government under the leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi has been taking proactive steps in preventing further disasters occasioned by floods in the state.
Makinde maintained that the government would not relent in its effort towards preparing for NIMET predictions about flood in Oyo state and urged the people to also play well their own roles in ensuring that flood plains are cleared and other things that may cause flood are prevented.
Also, the projects Coordinator, IUFMP Mr Dayo Ayorinde in his remark harped on the need for communities to set up flooding committee as well as support government agencies in mitigating against flood in the state.
Ayorinde hinted that IUFMP has been complementing government efforts in ensuring flood disasters are prevented in the state and promised to organize continuous sensitisation programme and awareness to prevent flood in the state.
The Director General of National Emergency Management Agency NEMA Agency (NEMA), Engineer Mustapha Maihaja commended OYSEMA and IUFMP for their consistency in sensitising the public on the need to prevent flooding in Ibadan and Oyo state at large.
Maihaja who was represented by Aikpokpo Ebahi from South west office in Lagos reinstated the support of NEMA to OYSEMA and other related agencies in reducing the effect and preventing flooding in the state.
Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, Director General Oyo State Bureau of Physical Planning who was also at the event identified lack of conformity with town planning laws and city master plan by residents as one of the major factors that led to flooding in some areas in Ibadan.
While reaffirming the decision of the state government to implement Ibadan City master plan, Gbadamosi maintained that the government will not approve any construction on water plain or anywhere that may obstruct free flow of water.
The Babaloja of Oyo state, Chief Adisa Oladejo and some other stakeholders in their contributions lauded the efforts of Oyo state government in sensitizing the public on the mitigation against flood and promised to disseminate their messages to their various communities.
They also called on the state government to recruit more environmental officers and be more firm in enforcing environmental laws particularly on waste disposal management.
Stakeholders at the event included Market women and traders, Community Development Council CDC Chairmen in all Councils and LCDA’s in Ibadanland, representatives of National Emergency Management Agency, traditional rulers, non-governmental organisations among others.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
