Oyo Govt Begins Final Inspection Ahead of NEWMAP-EIB Project Implementation, Seeks Community Cooperation
The Oyo State Government has commenced a final inspection of proposed project sites ahead of the commencement of construction works under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project supported by the European Investment Bank (NEWMAP-EIB).
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, disclosed this during an inspection visit to Ebu Angelu in Oyo town (Atiba Local Government Area), Obananko/Cele area in Oyo West Local Government Area, and Maje area in Oluyole Local Government Area.
Aderinto described the visit as the last stage of assessment before construction activities begin under the intervention programme.
According to him, the inspection followed several earlier visits conducted by the ministry in collaboration with the project team under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project and the European Investment Bank to assess environmental conditions and prepare affected communities for the project.
He explained that the planned construction works would address problems caused by poorly managed culverts and waterways, which have created physical separation in some communities and disrupted movement, businesses and livelihoods.
The commissioner added that the intervention is designed to tackle stormwater challenges, reclaim lands affected by gully erosion and mitigate the effects of climate change in the affected areas.
However, Aderinto expressed concern over several environmental and planning violations observed during the inspection, particularly residents’ failure to comply with approved building layouts.
He also condemned the practice of open defecation along waterways and riverbanks, describing it as unacceptable and a serious environmental health concern.
The commissioner further decried the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels and waterways, noting that such practices have contributed significantly to the failure of many culverts and drainage infrastructure in the past.
He warned that continued dumping of waste into waterways after the intervention could undermine the durability of the new infrastructure.
“My concern is that if the government carries out these interventions and residents continue with these practices, the project may fail over time,” he said.
Aderinto therefore urged residents to cooperate with the government by complying with building regulations, ending open defecation, providing adequate sanitary facilities and adopting proper waste management practices to ensure the success and sustainability of the project.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Atiba Local Government, Wahab Waliy Adetunji; Chairman of Oyo West Local Government, Salami Akeem Babatunde; and Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Akeem Olatunji, said the current condition of the affected areas has negatively impacted connectivity within the communities, disrupted businesses and threatened livelihoods.
They also noted that recurring flooding in some of the communities had resulted in loss of lives.
The council chairmen expressed confidence that the planned construction works would provide a lasting solution and pledged to support the ministry’s efforts by ensuring residents comply with environmental laws to guarantee the sustainability of the project.
The commissioner was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Project Coordinator, Tayo Ayoade, and members of the Oyo State Project Management Unit of the project.
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