Oyo Assembly calls for proactive flood mitigation measures

The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed a motion to intensify the sensitisation and deployment of localised flood risk mitigation measures during the rainy season.

The motion, sponsored by Olusola Owolabi (PDP-Ibadan North-East 2), urged the executive arm of government to act accordingly.

Mr Owolabi stressed the need for proactive measures to prevent devastating floods in the state as the full-blown rainy season approaches.

He said the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had predicted heavy flooding between April and November in 1,249 communities across 176 local government areas (LGAs) in 30 states, including Oyo State.

“Flooding is a recurring natural disaster in Nigeria; it is also a preventable one, and the outlook has now advanced beyond general predictions to identifying specific communities at high or moderate flood risk,” he said.

The motion resolved to urge the Oyo State Flood Management and Control Agency to commence community-based flood sensitisation campaigns.

The agency is also expected to work with the Ministries of Environment, Information and Orientation, and all local government authorities across the state to ensure the safety of all residents.

The agency was urged to sustain flood infrastructure maintenance and execute new flood control works in identified high-risk areas.

It would also engage community leaders, religious institutions, and local associations as part of the sensitisation process.

The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters was urged to direct all LGA chairs to deploy motorcycles equipped with megaphones to conduct repeated flood awareness announcements in remote communities.

The awareness includes clearing blocked water channels, drainage paths, and waterways, identifying vulnerable households, and helping to establish local emergency evacuation plans where necessary.

The Ministry of Information and Orientation was urged to call on the general public to cooperate with flood sensitisation officials by promptly reporting blocked drains and waterways to the appropriate authorities.

However, residents were advised to refrain from indiscriminate waste disposal and support local efforts to reduce the risk of flooding.