The Oyo State government under the leadership of governor Seyi Makinde has pledge to donate a permanent site to state Chapter of National Emergency Management Agency.
The Governor, who was represented by the deputy governor, Engr. Raif Olaniyan made this vow while receiving the NEMA’s Director- General Mohammed Mohammadu on his flood advocacy visit to the State.
In his Statement, Prof. Rauf Olaniyan reiterated the commitment of the State government to address issue bordering on flood and other environmental disaster. He saw the donation of the permanent as a child of necessity to improve and boast the service of the Agency in the State.
The governor said: “The state government through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been collaborating with NEMA to engage all stakeholders with the aim of ensuring safety of all residents especially during heavy downpour.
“Additionally, Oyo state government will continue to partner with all relevant agencies and stakeholders in the fight against flood and other forms of disasters in the state.”
The Director-General, who was represented by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Sunday Kolawole said the advocacy visit was to entreat the commitment and support from the State government and other Stakeholders to tackle flood and as well improve the service delivery of the Agency.
Noting that eleven council areas in Oyo State have been listed as flood-proned, Mohammed urged the government to braced up it’s effort in tackle flood with proactive measures.
He said: “I wish to draw the attention of your Excellency to the 2020 seasonal rainfall prediction and annual flood outlook. These documents have forecast flood situation for different parts of the country.
“The annual flood outlook informed that 102 local government areas, 28 states, fall within the highly probable risk areas, while 275 local government areas in the 36 states of the federation including the FCT fall within the moderately probable flood risk areas.
“The remaining 397 local government areas fall within the low probable flood risks areas. Unfortunately, the predicted floods have started to occur in many parts of the country therefore, it is imperative to activate all plans and measures against the prediction as the season moves towards the peak.
“This year, the probable flood risk areas are Ona-Ara, Lagelu, Oyo East, Kajola, Egbeda, Ogbomoso South, Iseyin, Ibarapa North, Ibadan South West, Ibadan North West, and Ibadan South East local government areas.”
