By Akeem Abas
Ibadan – The Oyo State Government has approved the constitution of 10 mobile courts to prosecute environmental degradation offenders as part of efforts at ensuring clean environment and flood control.
Chief Isaac Ishola, the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, told newsmen in Ibadan on Thursday that the 10 mobile courts would be distributed across the state.
Ishola stated that five of the 10 mobile courts would be stationed in Ibadan, while one each would be in the remaining four zones, namely: Ogbomoso, Oyo, Saki, Iseyin and Eruwa.
The commissioner said that the state government would not tolerate the violation of the state environmental laws, such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Ishola stated that markets, like Bodija, Shasha and Apata had been shut in the past by government over violation of environmental directives and laws, but were reopened after compliance.
He said that the state government had embarked on series of sensitisation and awareness programmes, following the annual flood outlook prediction for Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency had on July 25 in its 2016 Flood Alert identified Oyo as one of the states to experience flooding.
Ishola said that the state government had developed an emergency action plan for sensitising residents of the state.
“The state government’s proactive response and participation as well as collaborative effort assisted in mitigating the impact of flooding in Ibadan city.
“Efforts include government’s impactful initiatives through dredging of water ways and canals that are in flood prone areas within the city, clearing of blocked drainage.
“Among the rivers dredged are Temidire, Gbaremu, Odo-Ona and Osun Abolowojaye rivers,” he said.
Ishola said that the government and Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP) would not relent at ensuring the state enjoyed safe environment
He also announced that seven bridges in the state had been approved to be widened by the state government.
Ishola said that the enforcement of laws prohibiting smoking in public place and noise pollution was underway as well.
