Oyetola demands residents’ cooperation in flood prevention

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State has stated that efforts geared towards the management of floods and other environmental hazards in the state would require the cooperation and commitment of all residents.

This is as he called for all hands to be on deck to prevent any form of environmental degradation that could bring hardship to the residents.

Governor Oyetola also asked that every individual be carried along in the ongoing efforts to make the state flood-free, noting that the havoc which flooding and other environmental hazards can wreak on commercial and economic activities can be alarming.

The governor disclosed this during a meeting with the Young Farmers Association, Osun State chapter, in Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, Oyetola stated that citizens were the best partners in progress because their complementary efforts in advocating different causes cannot be downplayed by every serious administration which wants to ensure general development for the people.

The governor reminded the people that they have an important role to play in curbing all sorts of environmental degradation and prevention of flooding in this rainy season by being conscious of acts that could stimulate environmental hazards like reckless dumping of refuse in waterways and channels.

While urging citizens of the state to live up to their civic responsibilities, he revealed that the government was not oblivious of the fact that resources must be dedicated to establishing better irrigation and water catchment systems to further improve farm productivity and mitigate the dire impact of flood and drought cycles brought about by extreme climatic conditions.

“Farmers and other residents in various communities also have a great role to play in managing the risk of flooding for it is a societal challenge which should be collectively fought.

“It is then high time everyone saw the need to contribute their quota to the development of our polity for the benefits of all and sundry”, he concluded.