By, Olawale Ogunbusola

 

The Oyo State Government has commenced a final inspection of proposed project sites ahead of the implementation of construction works under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project – European Investment Bank (NEWMAP-EIB) intervention.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, disclosed this during an inspection visit to Ebu Angelu area in Oyo (Atiba Local Government), Obananko/Cele area (Oyo West Local Government), and Maje area (Oluyole Local Government).

Aderinto described the exercise as the final assessment before the commencement of construction activities.

He explained that the inspection followed a series of earlier visits carried out by the Ministry in collaboration with the NEWMAP-EIB team to assess environmental conditions within the affected communities and adequately prepare for the intervention.

According to him, the planned construction works will address problems caused by poorly managed culverts and waterways, which have created physical separation within some communities, thereby affecting daily movement, businesses and livelihoods.

The Commissioner added that the government’s intervention, supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB), is designed to address stormwater challenges, reclaim lands affected by gully erosion and mitigate the negative effects of climate change in the affected areas.

However, Aderinto expressed concern over several environmental and planning violations observed during the inspection, particularly the failure of some residents to comply with approved building layouts.

He also condemned the practice of open defecation along waterways and riverbanks, describing it as unacceptable and a serious environmental health concern.

The Commissioner further decried the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels and waterways, noting that such practices have contributed significantly to the failure of many culverts and drainage infrastructure in the past.

He warned that continued dumping of waste into waterways after the intervention could undermine the durability of the newly constructed infrastructure.

“My concern is that if the government carries out these interventions and residents continue with these practices, the project may fail over time,” he said.

Aderinto therefore appealed to residents to cooperate with the government by complying with building regulations, ending open defecation, providing adequate sanitary facilities and adhering strictly to proper waste management practices to ensure the success and sustainability of the project.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Atiba Local Government, Hon. Wahab Waliy Adetunji; Chairman of Oyo West Local Government, Hon. Salami Akeem Babatunde; and Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, noted that the condition of the affected areas has negatively impacted connectivity within the communities, disrupted businesses and threatened livelihoods.

They added that recurring flooding has also resulted in loss of lives in some communities.

The council chairmen expressed confidence that the planned construction works would provide a lasting solution and pledged to support the Ministry’s efforts by ensuring residents comply with environmental laws to guarantee the sustainability of the project.

The Commissioner was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Project Coordinator, Barr. Tayo Ayoade, and members of the Oyo State Project Management Unit (Oyo NEWMAP-EIB).