As the rainy season intensifies across parts of the country, the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Kwara states have assured residents of ongoing efforts to minimise flooding and protect lives and property.
Officials in the three states, speaking separately on Wednesday in Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Ilorin, also appealed to residents to cooperate with authorities by observing environmental safety measures and keeping drainage channels free from waste.
In Oyo State, a Deputy Director at the Ministry of Environment, Mr Jonathan Adekunle, said proactive government actions had helped the state avoid major flooding incidents in recent years.
He explained that the state government had embarked on extensive channelisation of rivers and streams in Ibadan and other major towns, including Saki, Iseyin, Ogbomoso, Eruwa, and Oyo.
Adekunle added that bridge construction projects in flood-prone communities had also improved the free flow of water.
According to him, communities vulnerable to flooding are being monitored based on weather alerts, while awareness campaigns have continued across markets, motor parks, and public spaces to educate residents on proper sanitation and flood prevention.
He said the government, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency and other stakeholders, had also put emergency response plans in place to assist affected communities if flooding occurs.
Residents in vulnerable areas, he noted, have already been advised to prepare for heavy rainfall and possible flooding.
In Ogun State, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, said the government had intensified public enlightenment campaigns and drainage maintenance operations ahead of peak rainfall periods.
He explained that sensitisation programmes remained a major part of the state’s strategy to educate residents on environmental cleanliness and proper waste disposal.
According to him, government agencies have continued clearing blocked drainage channels to ensure the smooth flow of rainwater during heavy downpours.
Oresanya warned residents against dumping refuse into drains or obstructing waterways, stressing that flood control requires collective effort.
He disclosed that residents in vulnerable coastal and riverine communities had been informed about anticipated flooding expected around September and advised on precautionary steps.
According to him, people in high-risk areas have been encouraged either to relocate temporarily or elevate their homes above expected flood levels.
The commissioner warned that water levels could rise significantly during the peak flood period and assured residents that emergency response teams would continue monitoring affected communities and assisting vulnerable persons.
In Kwara State, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said it had expanded interventions aimed at reducing the impact of flooding and erosion in vulnerable communities.
The agency’s secretary, Alhaji Moshood Magaji, said sensitisation campaigns were ongoing in flood-prone areas such as Patigi, Edu, Moro, and parts of Ilorin.
He advised residents against dumping refuse into gutters and waterways, noting that relief materials had already been positioned in strategic locations for quick response in case of emergencies.
Magaji also said the agency was working with relevant ministries to address erosion challenges through community-based solutions such as sandbagging, stone reinforcement, and planting vetiver grass to stabilise soil.
Meanwhile, the Garkuwa of Patigi, Alhaji Dabarako Muhammad, urged residents living along riverbanks to remain alert and observe safety precautions during the rainy season.
He praised the federal, state, and local governments for distributing life jackets to riverine communities and encouraged boat passengers to make proper use of them.
Muhammad also called for increased dredging of the Niger and Benue rivers to reduce flooding risks.
A farmer, Mr Tade Olorunfemi, stressed the importance of timely weather information for farmers, saying improved awareness could help reduce losses caused by flooding on farmlands.
He urged authorities to intensify training and sensitisation programmes for farmers on flood prevention methods.
Also speaking, soil conservation expert Mr Ahmad Ibrahim called for broader environmental protection measures beyond flood control, including efforts to tackle deforestation, pollution, unsafe farming practices, and ecosystem degradation.
He warned that environmental challenges affecting soil, water, and wildlife require urgent attention alongside flood mitigation efforts to ensure long-term ecological sustainability.