Flash floods: Ogun lawmakers interface with Works, Environment commissioners

Ogun State House of Assembly has interfaced with the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya and his Environment counterpart, Mr. Ola Oresanya with a challenge to intensify efforts at minimising the incident of flooding by fixing of more roads, clearing of drainages and water channels in all parts of the state.

The lawmakers led by the Speaker, Honourable Oludaisi Elemide made the request during a recent parley with the managements of ministries at the Assembly complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Elemide enjoined the Commissioners for Works, Environment and Physical Planning to synergise their physical counterpart in ensuring compliance with the relevant regulations guiding building approval for developers of structures in the state to prevent flooding.

The Speaker said that there was need for vigorous sensitisation on flood prevention, saying that there should be a continuous interface with lawmakers to have an update on the progress recorded in road construction and rehabilitation by the Ministry of Works and  Infrastructure as well as clearing of drainage, dredging of waterways and water channels by the Ministry of Environment.

Lawmakers present took turn to request for a comprehensive list of roads constructed to ensure effective monitoring and assessment, acknowledging government’s efforts in road construction and rehabilitation.

They also lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Environment in preventing flash floods in the state, calling for more efforts on road construction and rehabilitation as well as clearing of drainages and waterways.

In a related development, members of the Assembly have decried the level of environmental degradation being caused by the Dangote Cement in Ibese, describing it as inimical to the overall welfare and wellbeing of the people of the host communities and the state.

Hence, the Speaker has invited the management of the Cement Plant, Ibese to appear before the lawmakers tomorrow (Wednesday).

Elemide noted that what the lawmakers who passed through the company saw recently was that the company’s activities were degrading the environment and that was unsustainable, saying the Assembly will not allow such to continue.

Earlier in their presentations, Honourables Adegoke Adeyanju, Bisi Oyedele, Samusideen Lawal, Yusuf Amosun, Oluseun Adesanya and Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye lamented that a company like Dangote Cement dealing majorly in production and haulage of cement should have a trailer park as part of its company’s operating approval.

They unanimously called for the immediate compliance with physical planning law in the operation of the cement company, saying their activities affected over 50 communities which had been thrown into darkness in the last two years.

The lawmakers said that indiscriminate parking by truck drivers of the company and their carefree attitude had continually led to avoidable loss of lives and properties.

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