The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing coordinated and sustainable measures to address recurring flooding through improved drainage systems, effective urban planning, proper waste management and climate change adaptation.
The Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, gave the assurance at an emergency meeting of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Committee convened to identify the causes of flooding and develop strategies to mitigate its impact on communities, residents and infrastructure.
Aluko said comprehensive drainage and topographical mapping of Ado-Ekiti was necessary to identify drainage networks, interconnected waterways and flood-prone areas, noting that the exercise would guide the planning and implementation of effective flood-control measures.
He warned that poorly planned interventions in one location could worsen flooding elsewhere if the wider water-flow system was not considered.
The commissioner, therefore, urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to collaborate, clearly define their responsibilities and coordinate their interventions to protect lives, property and public infrastructure.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Toyin Ojelabi-Pedro, called for increased public awareness of flood risks and appropriate safety measures.
She advised residents to exercise patience during heavy rainfall and allow floodwaters to recede before proceeding with their journeys.
Ojelabi-Pedro urged residents to prioritise their safety over the urgency of returning home, advising those caught in severe flooding to seek safe alternative accommodation rather than risk travelling through floodwaters.
Similarly, the General Manager of the Ekiti State Water and Sanitation Regulatory Agency, Engr. Ayodele Osalade, cautioned against relying solely on dredging to address flooding, noting that the exercise could amount to a waste of resources if underlying causes were not addressed.
He stressed the need for proper removal and disposal of dredged materials, warning that leaving them along waterway banks could obstruct water flow and undermine the purpose of the exercise.
The General Manager of the Ekiti State Environmental Protection and Watershed Management Agency (EKSEPWAMA), Mr. Olukayode-Francis Adunmo, advocated the provision of waste bins at strategic locations to discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains and canals.
He also called for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and appropriate sanctions against offenders.
The Programme Coordinator of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Mr. Akinyemi Akintugha, emphasised the need for a comprehensive stormwater management plan, disclosing that work on the plan was ongoing.
He said the plan would provide for the channelisation of waterways where necessary, particularly in Ado-Ekiti.
Akintugha also urged the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities to intensify efforts to identify interconnected water channels, noting that the findings would inform future flood-control interventions.
On drainage infrastructure, the Director of Civil Engineering in the Ministry of Works, Engr. Bamidele Oke, advised that culverts should be designed to accommodate the volume of water expected to flow through them.
He warned that shallow and narrow culverts could worsen flooding during heavy rainfall, recommending that inadequate ones be upgraded or replaced with bridges and other suitable hydraulic structures.
Oke noted that poorly designed drainage systems could aggravate flooding rather than provide a solution.
A representative of the State Urban and Regional Planning Agency, Mr. Adewunmi Adegbola, cautioned against the indiscriminate removal of sharp sand from drainage channels, explaining that the practice could disrupt natural water flow and contribute to erosion and other environmental problems.
Another representative of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Olakanye Babajide, identified the construction of buildings and other structures on waterways and drainage routes as a major cause of flooding.
He called for stricter enforcement of physical planning regulations and the removal, where necessary, of structures obstructing natural waterways.
Babajide also observed that climate change was altering rainfall patterns and increasing the likelihood of intense rainfall and flooding. He advocated appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures to address the emerging challenges.
He further called for the rehabilitation and regular maintenance of drainage systems around the State Secretariat, while proposing the provision of solar-powered boreholes and improved sanitation and toilet facilities within the complex.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (EKSEMA), Ministries of Health and Environment, NEWMAP, Urban Renewal, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Women Affairs, Town Planning, the Water and Sewerage Company, and environmental protection agencies.
Participants emphasised the need for sustained inter-agency collaboration, effective urban planning, responsible waste disposal, adequate drainage infrastructure and public sensitisation to tackle the root causes of flooding and protect lives, property and the environment across the state.