4th July, 2012
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Ogun state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has said that illegal
structures are responsible for the flooding in the state.
The governor said this during an inspection tour of
parts of the state affected by recent floods.
He explained that any blockage of waterways would naturally result in flooding.
He also blamed the regular flooding on poor drainage system, noting
that, “when roads are constructed without drainages, flooding becomes
inevitable.”
Amosun stated that drainage system was a major consideration in roads
being constructed by his administration in order to prevent flooding
and prolong the life span of such roads.
He cautioned residents against building without government approval
and dumping refuse in the drainages and waterways.
He ordered the Bureau of Urban and Physical Planning (BUPP )to swing
into action and remove structures blocking the waterways in
accordance with the law.
According to the governor, “the contract for the 32km International
Standard Sango-Ijoko-Agbado-Akute-Ojodu Abiodun Road has been awarded
and work would soon commence on it and would be completed within 30
months”.
He further stated that,”90 per cent of the residents of the border
areas affected by the floods worked in neighbouring Lagos State,
it is the government of Ogun that usually shoulders the responsibility
of infrastructural development of the areas.”
He implored residents to pay their taxes to Ogun State in line with the Residency Provision of Personal Income Tax Act so that government
could further develop the areas.
The governor addressed residents of Igbale and Ilo in Ado/Odo Ota
local government and Aboro, Agbado, Abule Ekun, Lasaco and Alagbole in
Ifo local government area of Ogun State, where the recent floods
disrupted social life.
On the inspection tour with the governor were the Commissioner for
Environment, Alhaji Adebayo Fari, Commissioner for Information and
Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu and other top government
functionaries.