The Oyo State Government has advised residents to stop open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of waste in streams and waterways to prevent weakening erosion control efforts.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, gave the advice on Monday after concluding the final inspection of proposed project sites under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project – European Investment Bank (NEWMAP-EIB) intervention.
A statement by the ministry said sites visited during the inspection included Aborerin Stream in Eruwa, Fedomu Stream in Igbeti, and erosion sites within Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
The inspection forms part of the concluding activities ahead of the commencement of the NEWMAP-EIB intervention project across the state.
Aderinto said the intervention would bring long-awaited relief to communities grappling with erosion and environmental degradation, adding that the state had met key requirements for the take-off of the project.
“The sites are located across the three senatorial zones of the state, paving the way for the commencement of construction works,” he said.
The commissioner attributed the successful completion of preparatory processes to the support of Seyi Makinde, noting that his administration has prioritised tackling erosion challenges, strengthening climate change adaptation and improving environmental sustainability.
Aderinto assured residents of affected communities that the NEWMAP-EIB project was set to move into the implementation phase.
He emphasised the need for sustained community cooperation to ensure the success and long-term sustainability of the project.
The commissioner was accompanied on the inspection visit by the Project Coordinator, Tayo Ayoade, and members of the Oyo State Project Management Unit.