Floods: Group Calls For Dredging Of Osun Rivers And Waterways

As the rainy season is gathering storm, the Centre for Social Justice and Public Protection (CSJPP), an Osun civil society group has called on the Osun State Government to dredge streams and rivers, channel erosion paths, and clear drainages of debris across the state's waterways.

The appeal, the group noted, was as a result of the forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) which predicted that Osun will be among the states in southern Nigeria to witness total rainfall during the 2022 rainy season.

In a press statement signed by Akin Akanji, the group's Coordinator, CSJPP stated that the state government intervention has become necessary to forestall erosion as was witnessed in 2021.

In the statement, the group mandated the state government to commence the dredging and clearing of erosion paths now that the rainy season was beginning to pick up

According to the statement, "The state witnessed erosion during last year's rainy season and a responsive government should not wait until disaster occurs before doing what is required.

"The Nigerian Meteorological, NiMet has also predicted that the state will witness total rainfall this season and we see this as a signal to the concerned stakeholders to nip in the bud the issue of erosion in the state.

"Drainages that needed to be expanded should be given priority and those with debris should be cleared for free flow of water".

The group which urged the government to sanction and prosecute anyone found dumping refuse inside drainages and waterways added that people needed to know that dumping of refuse inside drainages will cause erosion which is tantamount to sabotaging the government efforts.