Oyo unveils N690m infrastructure plan to combat flooding, boost emergency services

The Oyo State Government has announced that it is set to take some proactive measures to address flooding during the rainy season.

A key part of these measures include the dredging of a number of rivers across the state.

The state Ministry of Environment has also been given the go-ahead to procure more compactor trucks to enhance refuse collection in the municipality.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement, said these were some of the resolutions at the Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting recalled that the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) in their reports predicted that a number of States, including Oyo, will experience flooding this year.

The Council, according to the statement, approved immediate dredging of 11 flood-prone rivers across the State, including Iseyin, Oyo, Ibadan, Igbo Ora, Ogbomoso, among others.

The Council also approved the procurement of fire fighting auxiliary and special equipment for the Oyo State Fire Service Agency, to enhance fire fighting, rescue operations and protect firemen from occupational hazards.

The Commissioner said approval was also sought and given to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to procure compactor trucks to supplement efficiency in refuse collection.

The approval for the three projects amounts to N690 million.

The Council also considered and approved the procurement and installation of transformer and power generating set for the Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo monumental park and energy storage upgrade for the dualized Ladoke Akintola airport road.

The State Executive Council also approved the installation of public lighting along the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular road phase one.

The Commissioner recalled that the 110km motorway will ease traffic congestion in Ibadan metropolis, while travellers from other parts of the country can avoid the Ibadan city traffic by linking the circular road to their destinations.