The Oyo State government has dredged 11 rivers across the state as part of the proactive measures taken against addressing flooding during the rainy season.
This was as the state Ministry of Environment has been given the go-ahead to procure more compactor trucks to enhance refuse collection in the Ibadan municipality.
Equally, auxiliary and special equipment are continually being provided for the state Fire Service Agency to combat fire incidents in the state.
The state Commissione for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated these in a statement, on Wednesday.
The measures taken by the state government were some of the resolutions at the State Executive Council meeting which was held on Tuesday.
It was stated in the statement that the meeting recalled that the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), in their reports, predicted that a number of states, including Oyo, will experience flooding this year.
“In order to protect lives and property, the State Executive Council approved immediate dredging of 11 flood-prone rivers across the state, including Iseyin, Oyo, Ibadan, Igbo Ora and Ogbomoso among others,” it was added.
It was recalled in the statement that the fire incidents in some markets across the state, the latest being the Aleshinloye Market, Ibadan.
“To this end, Council approved the procurement of fire fighting auxiliary and special equipment for the Oyo State Fire Service Agency to enhance fire fighting, rescue operations and protect firemen from occupational hazards,” it was added.
According to Prince Oyelade, approval was also sought and given to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to procure compactor trucks to supplement efficiency in refuse collection.
The approval for the three projects amounted to ₦690 million, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation further revealed.
“The Council also considered and approved the procurement and installation of transformer and power generating set for the Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo Monumental Park and energy storage upgrade for the dualized Ladoke Akintola Airport Road,” he added.
Oyelade said the main reason for the shutdown of the airport in the past few weeks was to upgrade the infrastructure to international standard.
This, he said, was to enhance its aesthetic values, recreation facilities, advertising displays, directions signs and speed limit indicators that were necessary for International flight operations.
“The project will cost ₦224,781,750.00 (Two hundred and twenty four million, seven hundred and eighty one thousand, seven hundred and fifty naira),” he added.
According to him, the State Executive Council also approved the installation of public lighting along the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road Phase One.
He recalled that the 110KM motorway will ease traffic congestion in Ibadan metropolis, while travellers from other parts of the country can avoid the Ibadan city traffic by linking the circular road to their destinations.
“The project is aimed at ensuring adequate, sufficient and sustainable lighting on the motorway and assists the objective of improving socio-economic growth and investment in Oyo State, including development of the night-time economy.
“The project will cost ₦15,111,129,535.30 (Fifteen billion, one hundred and eleven million, one hundred and twenty nine thousand, five hundred and thirty five naira, thirty kobo),” he noted.
According to him, the Council also approved the expansion and rehabilitation of some roads in Ibadan municipality.
These, he said included Bolajoko Estate road network, General Gas; rehabilitation of Bishop’s Court Road, Jejelaye and Peace roads, Anifalaje Area among others, for the sum of ₦1,988,512,481.00 billion.
“In consonance with the policy of government to develop Culture and Tourism in Oyo State to an international economic status, the Council approved the World Egungun Festival that will attract national and international interests.
“The festival will hold later in the year and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has been mandated to provide specific timetable of all cultural events for the approval of the Council,” Oyelade stated.
