Kwara Assembly Urges Public To Change Attitude To Combat Flooding
The Kwara State House of Assembly has raised concerns over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drain systems, warning that the practice could worsen flooding across the state if not urgently addressed.
During Tuesday’s plenary held on April 15, 2025, and presided over by Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, a motion of urgent public importance was moved by Hon. Bello Yinusa Oniboki (Afon) and supported by Hon. Lawal Ayansola Salihu (Ipaye/Malete/Oloru), calling for intensified public awareness and stricter enforcement of environmental laws.
Hon. Oniboki decried the increasing habit of residents dumping waste into drainage channels, describing it as a dangerous trend with far-reaching consequences for public health and infrastructure.
“This is no longer just an environmental issue; it’s a matter of life and safety. When drainages are clogged, especially during the rainy season, the resulting floods damage roads, create stagnant pools that breed diseases, and disrupt the lives of residents,” he said.
He praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for prioritizing environmental sanitation through consistent de-silting of drains and constructing roads with functional drainage systems.
However, he lamented that despite these efforts, many citizens still undermine progress by their poor waste disposal habits.
“The efforts of the present administration are commendable, but they will be in vain if our people continue this careless behavior,” he added, urging Kwarans to take responsibility for protecting their environment.
Other lawmakers, including Hon. Mohammed Baba Salihu (Okuta/Yashikira), Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahu (Omupo), and Hon. Yusuf Maryam Aladi (Ilorin South), supported the motion and emphasized the need for collaborative community engagement.
In its resolution, the House:
Commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his administration’s proactive efforts in constructing and maintaining drainage systems;
Urged the governor to empower Environmental Health Officers to strictly enforce sanitation laws;
Called for stronger partnerships between the Ministry of Environment, KWEPA, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society to boost awareness campaigns;
Appealed to citizens to stop dumping refuse into drains, especially during rainfall, to prevent future flooding and environmental degradation.
In a related development, the House screened and confirmed Mr. Alayande Fatahi Olajide as the new Auditor-General for Kwara State, following a nomination request from the governor. The Speaker directed the Clerk to communicate the House’s confirmation to the governor.
The session ended with an adjournment motion moved by Hon. Magaji Oba Abdulkadir (Ilorin Central) and seconded by Hon. Lawal Ayansola Salihu.
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