Flooding: Ondo Assembly Summons Environment Stakeholders, set up Special Committee

Towards finding the lasting solution to the annual flooding across the state, Ondo State House of Assembly has called on residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of wastes on waterways.

This was part of the resolution of the lawmakers today at the plenary which was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji.

Deliberating on matters of urgent public importance, the House unanimously in a voice vote called on government of Ondo State and other relevant stakeholders to take proactive measures on disaster, prevention and rehabilitation of affected citizens.

While calling on the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to be more proactive in prevention and management of disasters, especially in the coastal communities of Ondo  State, the parliamentarians directed the Clerk of the House to write to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant stakeholders with a view to sensitizing them on the plights of affected people and the need to come to their aid.

Declaring the floor open for discussion, the Deputy majority leader of the House, Hon. Princess Oluwatosin Ogunlowo Ajirotutu, expressed displeasure over the incessant flooding across the state, lamenting that  lives and valuable properties had been lost to the flood.

Also, in his contribution, the Minority leader of the House, Hon. Olajide Oguntodu, explained that flooding is now becoming a serious concern to all and sundry, saying it has displaced many individuals.

According to him, part of the affected places were: Oba Adesida road, Oke-Aro, Oke-Ijebu, Araromi, NEPA, among others.

In his contribution, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan, expressed worry over the incessant flooding in Ilaje and Ondo East local governments.

He  later suggested that the House should constitute an ad-hoc committee that would find a permanent solution to the annual flooding in the State.

The Speaker of the House said, "As elected representatives of the people, we cannot fold our arms and watch helplessly as our people relish in untold hardship, poverty and squalor. We must take a proactive position".

"To this end, the Ministry of Environment is summoned to appear before the House on Tuesday, 25th of July in order to brief members on its disaster prevention plan for this year".

He, therefore, set up a - seven man ad- hoc committee on environment to effectively engage stakeholders and find solution to the perenial flooding problem.

The Chairman of the committee is Hon. Ololade Gbegudu,while other members are Hon. Rotimi Abitogun, Hon. Olawumi Fayemi, Hon. Nelson Akinsuroju, Hon. Olatunji Ifabiyi, Hon. Babatunde Fasonu and Mr Tope Odole as Secretary.

The committee is mandated to report back to the House in seven days.

Earlier in his address, the Speaker had welcomed the lawmakers from the 6 weeks recess, urging them to brace up for the task ahead as it is an opportunity to register their footprints in the sand of time.

"We shall share a common goal and bring the benefits of democratic governance to the good people of Ondo State", he explained.

According to him, the House  would not be unduly antagonistic to issues and policies that would add value to the lives of the people who elected them. "We will work with the Executive arm. We shall explore every avenue humanly possible to develop the land and the people even in the face of glaring challenges confronting us as a nation", he said.

The plenary was adjourned till Wednesday, 19th, 2023.