By Stephen Adeleye.
The Kogi Government on Saturday cautioned residents of the state against dumping refuse in waterways so as to avoid flood disaster.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Sanusi Yahaya, gave the warning in Lokoja after monitoring some ongoing reconstruction of drainage system within the city.
Yahaya expressed concern over the attitude of some residents who had been dumping wastes in water channels, and urged them to desist from such act to prevent flooding.
He urged them to ensure that they disposed off their wastes in the designated communal bins.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dilapidated drains are being reconstructed by the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in the state.
The commissioner expressed satisfaction over the intervention of NEWMAP in desilting and reconstructing some dilapidated drainage system in Lokoja and other parts of the state.
He and his team had during the exercise visited Ganaja Junction to Dunamis Church Junction project, Second 200 Housing Estate, SUBEB of Children Amusement park areas, among others.
He commended NEWMAP for the level of work done so far, especially the speedy completion of the drains.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of his ministry through the Kogi State Sanitation and Waste Management Board to ensure continuous monitoring, appropriate intervention and enforcement.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Hannah Odiyo, commended NEWMAP and the site Engineer for their commitment to the job.
Odiyo said that the gesture would checkmate flooding in the affected areas.
(NAN)
