Oyo State government has approved a total of ₦690 million to address the threats of flooding and fire incidents in the state this year.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation in the state, Prince Dotun Oyelade disclosed on Wednesday, that eleven rivers have been dredged while the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan and Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road have been upgraded.
Oyelade said government had taken proactive measures in addressing flooding during the rainy season.
According to him, the Ministry of Environment has been given the approval to procure more compactor trucks to enhance refuse collection in the municipality.
Equally, Oyelade said that auxiliary and special equipment were being provided for the state’s fire service agency to combat fire incidents in the state.
Oyelade, who stated that these were some of the resolutions at the state executive council meeting held on Tuesday, 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, would experience flooding this year.
“In order to protect lives and property, the council approved immediate dredging of 11 flood-prone rivers across the state, including Iseyin, Oyo, Ibadan, Igbo-Ora, Ogbomoso, among others”, the commissioner said.
He recalled that the fire incidents in some markets across the state, the latest of which was the Aleshinloye market in Ibadan informed council’s approved for the procurement of fire-fighting auxiliary and special equipment for the Oyo State Fire Service Agency.
This, he said is to enhance firefighting, rescue operations and protect firemen from occupational hazards.
The Commissioner explained that the 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 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 dualised Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport road.
The Commissioner explained that the main reason for the shutdown of the airport in the past few weeks was to upgrade the infrastructure to international standard by enhancing its aesthetic values, recreation facilities, advertising displays, directions signs and speed limit indicators that were necessary for international flight operations.
He disclosed that the cost of the project is put at ₦224,781,750.00 (Two hundred and twenty four million, seven hundred and eighty one thousand, seven hundred and fifty naira).
The State Executive Council also approved the installation of public lighting along the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular road phase one.
The Commissioner 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,” Oyelade said.
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).
Council also approved the expansion and rehabilitation of some roads in Ibadan municipality including Bolajoko Estate Road network at General Gas; rehabilitation of Bishop’s court road, Jejelaye and Peace roads, Anifalaje area among others at the sum of ₦1,988,512,481.00.
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.
LEADERSHIP reports that ‘egungun’ masquerades are celebrated across Oyo State and most part annually with visitors drawn from local and international audience.
The commissioner said the festival will hold later in the year with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism mandated to provide specific timetable of all cultural events for the approval of the Council.
