Ekiti State government has issued a warning to developers not to build on rivers and canals to minimize flooding in the state, as forecasted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).
The state’s increased flooding and willful property destruction, according to the administration, were brought on by this practice.
The Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, spoke in Ado Ekiti, while distributing cash and relief materials to rainstorm victims in Oke- Ako and Ijesa Isu Ekiti.
Materials distributed at the programme financed by the government in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), include Roofing planks, corrugated sheets, roofing nails, and consumables like rice, beans, garri, among others.
Mrs. Afuye stressed that only those who had rehabilitated their buildings before the presentation would receive cash, while others will receive relief materials to rebuild their structures.
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She urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the materials while appealing to developers to embrace tree planting and compliance with the urban renewal policies of Ekiti State government to avert future calamities of this nature.
She said: “This phase of distribution is targeted at victims of rainstorms in Oke Ako in Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Ijesa Isu in Kajola LCDA.
“May I seize this opportunity to sympathize with the victims, who are the direct beneficiaries of today’s event? I equally advise citizens of this state to put in place measures that will reduce incidences of flooding and rainstorm in our environment.
“You should avoid building on drainages, close to streams and rivers. Clear your drainages always and encourage the planting of trees to serve as windbreakers. It is often said that prevention is better and cheaper than cure.”
The NEMA’s Head of Operations, Southwest Region, Mr. Olanrewaju Kadiri, said the fact that no life was lost in the incidents in the two towns was heartwarming.
Kadiri urged residents to always cooperate with NEMA staff during the assessment of damaged property, rather than being hostile due to social and economic pressures.
Story adapted from The Guardian
