Osun to audit flood projects, launch early-warning system

File photo: Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke

The Osun State Government has announced plans to audit flood-control infrastructure executed across the state since 2020 and establish an early-warning system as part of measures to prevent a recurrence of the devastation caused by recent flooding.

The measures were contained in a series of directives issued by the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, following the assessment of communities affected by the latest flooding across the state.

The governor also ordered the development of an Osun State Flood and Stormwater Master Plan based on catchment-level hydrological and hydraulic assessments.

PUNCH Metro reports that the flooding has affected more than 1,000 households across the state, with several communities in Osogbo, the state capital, among the worst hit.

Areas affected include Gbodofon, Ogooluwa, Omigade, Ijetu, Oke Arungbo, Baruwa and Isale Osun.

Our correspondent who monitored the situation on Thursday observed that more than 700 buildings located close to the Osun River in Ijetu, Isale Osun and Oke Osun areas were affected.

Residential buildings, hotels, schools and business premises were among structures affected by the flooding.

In response, Adeleke directed the Ministries of Environment, Works, Water Resources, Lands and Physical Planning, Health, Agriculture and Local Government Affairs, as well as the Osun Waste Management Authority and Osun State Emergency Management Agency, to undertake a coordinated assessment of the affected communities.

He directed OSEMA to establish a verified register of affected households and coordinate emergency assistance, while affected local governments were ordered to submit reports detailing the locations, households affected, infrastructure damage and immediate needs.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday said the governor also ordered the commencement of a Flood Infrastructure Performance Audit covering major interventions undertaken from 2020 to date.

Adeleke further directed the establishment of “Osun Flood Watch”, an integrated early-warning and community-reporting platform designed to improve the state’s preparedness and response to future flooding.

The governor also ordered the creation of a Bridge and Culvert Hydraulic Safety Register to classify critical crossings according to structural and hydraulic risks.

He directed the Ministry of Works to inspect damaged bridges, culverts and roads and implement emergency safety measures, while the Ministry of Environment and OWMA were tasked with clearing critical waterways, drainage channels and culvert entrances.

The governor also ordered stronger enforcement against developments obstructing waterways, drainage corridors and floodways.

He said the Office of the Director-General and Special Envoy on Climate Change would coordinate the development of a consolidated climate-risk and flood-incident intelligence report.

Adeleke directed all ministries, departments and agencies involved in the response to submit their initial implementation reports within 14 days, while a consolidated progress report would be submitted monthly for the remainder of the rainy season.

Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress sympathised with victims of the flooding and urged the state and Federal Governments, religious organisations, civil society groups and public-spirited individuals to assist those displaced.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said the flooding had caused hardship and disrupted the livelihoods of residents across Osogbo and other communities.

The APC also urged the state government to provide temporary relief for displaced residents and called on the National Emergency Management Agency to assist affected communities.

It further called for stricter enforcement of planning regulations to prevent the construction of buildings on waterways and other flood-prone areas.