In a coordinated response to warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the state governments of Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti in south-western Nigeria have launched a flood mapping initiative to identify vulnerable areas and implement preventative measures against anticipated heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
In Ondo State, Commissioner for Environment Mr Tob Loko explained that the flood mapping exercise involves not only identifying high-risk zones but also investigating the structural and environmental causes of flooding. “This is a proactive, data-driven strategy to protect lives and property,” Loko said, noting that emergency relief plans are also being put in place for affected communities.
The state’s Ministry of Environment has intensified efforts to clear drainage channels, deploying three amphibious excavators across senatorial districts. “We are pushing hard to ensure local councils submit the dimensions of drainages that need clearing,” said the ministry’s Administrative Secretary, Mr Olumide Kinga. He also urged residents to adopt better waste disposal habits to prevent drainage blockages.
Public awareness campaigns are underway, with Mr Adeolu Iwakun, Senior Special Assistant on Volunteer Service, confirming that local councils and civil society partners are working together to disseminate flood safety information across communities.
In Osun State, the government has permanently stationed three swamp buggies to dredge and widen water channels, preventing obstruction and flooding. The General Manager of Osun Emergency Management Agency, Mr Deola Oni, said these efforts had significantly reduced flood incidents in the state.
Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mr Mayowa Adejoorin, said the state’s early preparations—starting in November 2024—have so far shielded residents from major flooding. “We are also actively removing illegal structures built over water channels and intensifying media campaigns against dumping waste into waterways,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ekiti State has initiated the demolition of buildings constructed over waterways. Deputy Governor Mrs Monisade Afuye said the state had faced a series of flood-related disasters in recent years, prompting early intervention across all 16 local councils.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Mrs Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko, highlighted the deployment of waste bins and community sensitisation as part of the broader flood mitigation effort. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which is working with the state government, also flagged off stakeholder engagement through the National Disaster and Response Campaign (NPRC) in Ekiti.
Dr Kofoworola Soleye, Head of NEMA Operations in Ekiti, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to public education and monitoring, while Search and Rescue Officer Mr Adesina Abogunrin advised residents in flood-prone areas to consider temporary relocation to safer zones.
These combined efforts reflect a growing emphasis on prevention and preparedness as Nigeria grapples with increasingly severe weather events driven by climate change.
