The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed a motion urging the Executive Arm of Government to intensify sensitization and deployment of localized flood risk mitigation measures ahead of the full onset of the rainy season in Oyo State.
The motion, sponsored by Hon. Olusola Owolabi representing (Ibadan North East 2), highlighted the need for proactive measures to prevent devastating floods in the state.
According to the motion, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has predicted heavy flooding between April and November in 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas in thirty states, including Oyo State.
The House noted that while 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.
The motion resolved to urge the Oyo State Flood Management and Control Agency to commence community-based flood sensitization campaigns, working in synergy with the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Information and Orientation, and all Local Government Authorities across the state.
The Agency is also urged to sustain flood infrastructure maintenance, execute new flood control works in identified high-risk areas, and engage community leaders, religious institutions, and local associations as part of the sensitization process.
Furthermore, the motion called on the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to direct all Local Government Chairmen in the state to deploy motorbikes equipped with megaphones to conduct repeated flood awareness announcements in remote and riverine communities, clear blocked water channels, drainage paths, and waterways, and identify vulnerable households and help establish local emergency evacuation plans where needed.
The House also urged the Ministry of Information and Orientation to call on the general public to cooperate with flood sensitization officials, report blocked drains and waterways, refrain from indiscriminate waste disposal, and support local efforts to reduce the risk of flooding.