By Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo

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In a bid to manage flood and other environmental hazards, Osun State residents have been urged to collaborate in order to prevent environmental degradation that could bring an untold hardship on the state.
The State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola disclosed this during an engagement meeting with the Young Farmers Association, Osun State chapter.
Oyetola emphasised that havoc which flooding and other environmental hazards can wreck on commercial and economic activities can be alarming.
He stated that every individual should not be left out in the ongoing efforts to make the state flood free.
The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye noted that citizens are the best partners in progress whose complementary efforts in advocacy for various causes cannot be downplayed by every serious government that wants to ensure general development for people’s welfare.
The governor then urged the people of the state to live up to their civic responsibilities by supporting the government in every step targeted towards the development of the state, such as the effort to manage flood risks in this rainy season.
“As a matter of fact, people have an important role to play in avoiding all sorts of environmental degradation by being conscious of acts that can stimulate environmental hazards, especially by avoiding reckless dumping of refuse on waterways in a bid to prevent flooding in this rainy season.
“The government is not oblivious of the fact that resources must be dedicated to establishing better irrigation and water catchment systems to further improve farm productivity and mitigate the dire impact of flood and drought cycles brought about by extreme climatic conditions, but farmers and residents in various communities also have a great role to play in managing the risk of flooding for it’s a societal challenge which should be collectively fought.
“It is then high time everyone saw the need to contribute their quota to the development of our polity for the benefits of all and sundry”, he concluded.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairman of Young Farmers Association, Mr. Titus Oyekunle hinted on the negative effects of flooding on their business activities especially fish farming, urging the government to cushion the effect with relief packages and not relent in its efforts to get rid of all kinds of environmental hazards in the state.
Oyekunle said the endearing performance of Governor Oyetola was enough for everyone to see the development of the state as a collective project which should be embraced by all.