Flood: NEMA wants 26,000 structures demolished in Oyo

NATIONAL Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
has called on the Oyo State government to take steps
in demolishing the over 26,000 structures on flood
plains in the state, to allow for free flow of water.
The Director-General of the agency, Alhaji
Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who made the call at a flood
prevention and mitigation workshop organised by
the agency in Ibadan, on Thursday, said the perennial
flooding in the state capital could only be stopped
when all risk factors aiding the disaster were
removed.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the South-
West assistant coordinator, Babatunde Adebiyi, Sani-
Sidi said the obstruction of natural paths of rain
water was a cause of flooding in the metropolis.
"Though the state government is taking steps to
reconstruct and rehabilitate canals, extend drains
and bridges, building people's resilience against
identifiable disaster risks is the best legacy that a
leader can bequeath to his people.
"Resilient people can conveniently tackle poverty
that forces them to look for cheaper land at flood
plains," he said.
According to him, the risks of losses during disasters
could be eliminated with flourishing economic and
social development.