The Ondo State Government has commenced clearing of canals across the state to checkmate flooding, cautioning residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in waterways, stressing that the practice remains a major cause of flooding across the state.
Mr. Elisha Ebijimi, the Special Adviser (Technical) to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Erosion Control and Related Matters, issued the warning on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing channelisation of the canal at Ijapo Extension, Akure South Local Government Area.
It was gathered that Atibiti 2 Layout, Otenioro Layout and the Anglican community in Ijapo Extension have been heavily affected by flooding in recent years.
Ebijimi said the project was part of the governor’s directive to aggressively tackle erosion and flooding across all 18 local government areas of the state.
“This waterway was 2 metres deep and 15 metres wide. Today, we are expanding it to 4 metres deep and 25 metres wide,” he explained.
“We want to appeal to the good people of Ondo State to stop illegal dumping of refuse in waterways so the state will not experience any calamity associated with flood.”
He recalled that similar flood control works had been carried out in Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odigbo, Ile-Oluji, and Ondo East since 2024, with Akure South and Oba-Ile in Akure North also lined up for intervention.
Residents of Ijapo Extension expressed relief, saying the project was long overdue.
Mr. Ahmed Oluwadare, a landlord, said the canal expansion would end over a decade of destruction caused by recurrent flooding.
“We have written several letters for years. Houses were flooded, cars and properties damaged, and some landlords abandoned or sold their homes because of this problem. Today, we thank Governor Aiyedatiwa for listening to us,” he said.
He further called on the government to set up environmental vanguards to monitor and protect waterways, while noting that the local landlords’ association had been sensitising residents against blocking drainage channels.
Another landlord, Alhaja Hassan Bamidele, described the flooding as a five-year ordeal that forced many residents into hardship, urging for permanent solutions.
Similarly, Mr. Oladipo Eliyode expressed optimism that the dredging would bring lasting relief; “We have been on this issue for years, but with the expansion, I believe we can enjoy peace during the rains for at least the next five years.”
