By Gbenga Ariyibi

Ekiti State Government has commenced work on the dredging of 32,350 metres of waterways in Ado Ekiti metropolis.

Speaking with newsmen during a visit to some of the sites, the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bisi Kolawole, said the Governor  Ayodele Fayose administration is determined to address the various ecological problems confronting the state.

Kolawole added that about eight out of the 22 waterways and their tributaries identified as the sources of flooding in the state have been awarded to Mega Aggregate and Samchase Construction companies, assuring that the projects will be completed soon.

Some of the waterways to be dredged, according to him, include: Adere, Ureje, Esinla, Elemi and Omi Olori among others. He said that the silting of the waterways had caused colossal damage to the lives and property of residents through annual flooding.

The commissioner, however, said those that erected fish ponds or planted crops on the waterways won’t be compensated, saying the projects were being undertaken under the doctrine of overriding public interest.

“As much as Ayodele Fayose’s government is desirous of making Ekiti a disaster -free zone, we are warning those who are throwing wastes into these canals to desist or face the consequences. The effort to curb flooding in Ekiti is a two-way thing. The Government would have to discharge its responsibility by ensuring that the projects are awarded and done properly, while the maintenance would be the responsibility of the government and the public.

“But when citizens are throwing waste into these canals and get them blocked, they will also be the victims when flooding occur. So, we need to appeal to our people to always drop their wastes in the trash bins provided by the state government”, he said.

Kolawole , who described the allegation that the Ecological Fund had been diverted by Fayose’s government, said: “This is not a government that will divert funds meant for a particular purpose. We are not limiting our scope to Ado Ekiti alone, towns like Efon, Ifaki and many other towns will be attended to in the second phase of the programme.”