By Lanre Idris Mustapha
Kwara State Government has advised residents living near riverbanks in various parts of the state to relocate to safer environments due to the risk of flooding following incessant downpour.
Nafisat Buge, the state Commissioner for Environment, issued the warning on Sunday.
The state has experienced torrential rainfall from Wednesday to Sunday, causing flooding in locations such as Unity Road, Taiwo Isale, and Isale Koko, close to the Asa River in the Ilorin South and Ilorin East areas.
While charging to be calm Buge assured residents that the increased rainfall, leading to floods, is a temporary challenge.
She attributed the situation to climate change, explaining that human activities have contributed to changes in weather patterns around, affecting the timing of rainy and dry seasons which led to frequent extreme weather events.
“The rainy and dry seasons no longer follow their usual schedule, and human impact on the environment has increased these changes, resulting in unusual weather events both globally and locally,” the statement explained.
Spokesman of the ministry of environment, Kamaldeen Aliagan in a statement, said that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is taking proactive actions to address the challenges.
Buge sympathised with the affected families, “We extend our deepest sympathies to those who have lost property or loved ones.”
To prevent further damage, the she advised residents to take immediate action, such as relocating to higher ground, avoiding travel during heavy rainfall, and following instructions from the Ministry of Environment and the State Emergency Management Agency, which will be assisting affected communities.
She thereby called for an end to dumping waste in watercourses, advised regular cleaning of local drainages, discouraged open burning, and encouraged tree planting. She urged people to report any environmental issues to the Ministry.
Buge also called on individuals, NGOs, and civil society organizations to support the government’s climate change adaptation and advocacy efforts, stressing that building resilience is crucial for protecting the environment.
The Commissioner concluded by encouraging all citizens to take responsibility for their surroundings, noting that environmental neglect harms society. “When we damage the environment, it deteriorates our quality of life, and these consequences eventually come back to affect us all. It is our shared responsibility to improve the environment for everyone’s benefit,” she said.
