By Kemi Olatunde

Ondo State Government has called on residents of the state to take cognizance of their environment as raining season sets in to avoid flooding.

The advice was given by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Sunday Akinwalire during an inspection tour to some parts of Akure, capital after a heavy downpour.

He said the inspection was necessary to know the effect of the rain in some parts of Akure that usually experience flooding during rainy season, noting that government was concerned about the lives and properties of residents in those particular areas.

The Commissioner highlighted the efforts of the present administration since inception at combating flood, like the purchase of three Amphibious Excavators for the three each Senatorial Districts for free water flow from  canals involvement of notable contractors in ensuring that issue of flood becomes a thing of the past in the state.

Akinwalire frowned at the attitude of some residents who dumped waste at  canals which obstructed the free flow of water, noting that such habit would no longer be  tolerated as government have decided to take necessary action against perpetrators.

He however assured residents of government resolve in finding lasting solution to the problem, adding that the cooperation of the people would also be needed to expose anybody that  undermines the will of government in combating  flood in the state.

Speaking earlier, the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Olumide Asere, said  residents of the affected areas should  not allow miscreants to destroy their environment, as they would always be at the receiving end.

Director, Ecology, Mr. Olumide Kinga, described the activities of the Amphibious Excavators at each Senatorial District of the state to include channelization of the rivers, and removal of wastes that might hinder the free flow of water especially in rivers

One of the residents in the area, Prophet Adeniyi Daodu, said those dumping wastes at the river usually come from afar and mostly during the night noting that the problems have made some people to abandon their homes in the area.

He advised government to enforce the law against indiscriminate waste disposal and violators of the law should be sent to 3 or 6 months jail to serve as deterrent to others.

Areas visited during the inspection were; River Ala at Atapapiti, Edo Lodge bridge, Oke-Ijebu bridge, Tuyi Araromi bridge, Ajayi the tailor/Bay Duck Filling Station at Ayedun Quarters and Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School area all in Akure.