Ondo State Government has deployed amphibious machines to clear waterways and channels as part of emergency measures to tackle the worsening flooding being experienced in some major parts of the state.
The intervention, which is being carried out particularly in riverine areas of Ilaje Local Government, is aimed at removing obstructions from waterways and improving free flow of water to reduce the risk of further flooding.
The development came amid growing concerns over the impact of heavy rainfall and rising water levels in communities, homes, offices and on roads across the state.
Confirming the development in an interview with The Nation, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control, Elisha Ebijimi, said the government had begun the clearing and desilting of waterways, canals and drainage channels using the amphibious excavators.
He said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa directed the immediate deployment of the amphibious machines in waterways to open up the channels and ease the impact of the flood.
He noted that the intervention was expected to help open blocked water channels, remove accumulated debris and vegetation and restore natural watercourses to facilitate the movement of floodwater.
‘Governor Aiyedatiwa has already directed us to deploy our amphibious machines back to our waterways in Ilaje. We are not here to pack any churning.
‘So, we are going to face our waterways because they are already full. So, we need to discharge our waterways before we come back to the communities,’ Ebijimi said.
He said the flooding had caused losses in some communities, adding that officials of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were expected to visit Ilaje and Ese-Odo local governments for an assessment.
The governor’s aide said the state government had earlier identified the clearing of waterways and drainage channels as part of its measures to mitigate flooding and protect lives and property across the state.
The latest deployment is coming on the heels of widespread flooding recorded in parts of the state, which has disrupted movement and caused damage to residential and commercial properties.
Recently, torrential rainfall led to severe flooding in parts of Odigbo Local Government, with sections of the busy Lagos-Ore-Benin Highway affected, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for hours.
Houses, shops, vehicles and roads were also submerged in some communities in the state, heightening calls for urgent and sustained intervention by the government.
The situation has renewed concerns about blocked drainage channels, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and the need for regular maintenance of waterways before and during rainy season.