Kwara State urges residents to heed flood warnings

The Kwara State Government has called on residents to take flood alerts and precautionary measures seriously. The government and traditional institutions have put several strategies in place to mitigate the impact of flooding.

Commissioner for Communication, Bola Olukoju, stated on Tuesday that various government agencies have conducted public enlightenment programs on flooding and how residents in flood-prone areas can reduce risks.

“More of such programs are still ongoing, including through radio stations and community leaders,” Olukoju said.

“The government has desilted many drainages and water passages within the metropolis while discouraging actions that may compound the threats of climate crisis and rise in water levels.”

In riverine communities like Patigi and Edu, traditional leaders have been actively engaging residents in flood-prone areas, encouraging them to relocate to safer zones allocated for this purpose. The government is appealing to residents to heed this advice while providing support in various ways.

The statement also mentioned that the state government continues to advocate for the dredging of the River Niger, which is seen as a permanent solution to the recurrent flooding in the region.