Following the heavy rainfall that led to flooding in some parts of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the state government has urged the people of the state to remain calm while also pledging relief intervention for the victims.
Commissioner for Environment, Mr Amos Justus, who stated this when he inspected the areas affected by the flood assured residents of the state that the government is committed to finding a possible permanent solution to the incessant flooding recorded in the state. The government will, according to him, in the interim, provide palliatives to curb the flooding and its effect, while assuring the people of the readiness of the state response team to attend to any emergency situation, Justus also warned residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse, particularly, the drainage channels, an act that does not only portend health hazards but also stands as threat to lives and property.
The commissioner also disclosed that the state government will collaborate with the Federal Government towards securing the ecological fund in order to ensure that permanent solution is found to the perennial flooding in the state. The locations inspected include Taiwo, Geri-Alimi, Hajji Camp, Surulere and Itaamo areas of Ilorin. Meanwhile, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki who has the victims as his constituents has also directed his constituency office in Ilorin to take swift action towards meeting the immediate needs of the flood victims.
The Director- General of the Mandate Constituency Office, Ilorin, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi who also later led a delegation on assessment tour of the affected areas on behalf of Saraki expressed sympathy and donated relief materials to the victims. He also asked those who could not find a place to sleep to report at the Mandate office where shelter will be provided for them while adding that the Senate president will liaise with the state government on the need to have the blocked drainages cleared to allow for easy passage of water whenever it rains.
