By: ADEBOYE ADO, Akure
Following the incessant flooding across the State, the Ondo State House of Assembly has called for sensitization of residents on the effect of improper waste disposal.
The House unanimously made the call at a plenary presided over by the speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji today.
The House also warned inhabitants of the Sunshine State to desist from dumping refuse on waterways across the state.
It would be recalled that flood had ravaged some part of State capital a few days ago after a heavy downpour.
While sympathizing with the affected people and communities, the House called on relevant agencies of government and stakeholders to be more proactive in prevention and management of disasters especially in the coastal Communities of Ondo State.
The speaker noted that the rainy season is the most celebrated, It is a season that comes with succour and relief from the scorching heat of the dry season and springs forth green vegetation, the kind that rekindles the hope of hitherto expectant farmers who take advantage of the season to cultivate the land and sow their crops, expectant of bountiful harvests.
He added that the rainy season comes with windstorm and excessive rainfalls causing devastating flood, and threat to human life.
“Distinguished Colleagues, as elected representatives of the people, we cannot fold our arms and watch helplessly as our people relish in untold hardship, poverty and squalor. We must take a proactive position. To this end, the Ministry of Environment is summoned to appear before the House on Tuesday, 25th of July, 2023 in order to brief members on its disaster prevention plan for this year”.
“Also, we call on government and other relevant stakeholders to take proactive measures on disaster prevention, mitigation, response and rehabilitation of affected citizen”.
“The Clerk of the House is mandated to write to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other relevant stakeholders sensitising them to the plights of affected people and the need to come to their aid”.
The speaker thereby set up a 7 man adhoc committe on environment to effectively engage stakeholders, find solution to the perennial flooding problem.
Earlier in his address, the Speaker welcomed the lawmakers from the 6 weeks recess, adding that it would have availed them the opportunity to get over the stress of election and prepare them afresh for a serious legislative business, the business for which they were elected by their varying constituents.
“This Assembly will not be unduly antagonistic to issues and policies that wil add value to the lives of the people who we were elected to serve. We will work with the executive arm to bring the desired democracy dividends to residents of our darling sunshine state”.
“Together with the executive arm, we shall explore every avenue humanly possible to develop the land and the people even in the face of glaring challenges confronting us as a nation. We shall strive very hard in our own little way to ensure that our Common destiny as a nation and as a people is not frittered in whatever way unimaginable”.
He, however, urged them to brace up for the tasks ahead as this is an opportunity to register their footprints in the sand of time.
