Osun State Government has begun the dredging of waterways in major towns in the state in order to ensure that there is no loss of lives or properties as the rains increase.

The Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Mayowa Adejoorin, said this in Osogbo on Saturday while briefing journalists on the level of preparedness of the ministry for this year’s rainy season.

The commissioner said the state government started the dredging and clearing waterways even before the flood alert was given while appealing to the residents to stop dumping refuse indiscriminately.

He stated that it would be impossible to stop flooding if residents did not stop dumping refuse at canals and rivers even if the government dredged them.

He said, “Our machines are dredging some water channels in Iwo now as I talk to you. We are not limiting this to Osogbo; we are going to clear the waterways in all the towns.

"We have dregged in Osogbo, Ilesa, Ila, Ile-Ife, Ifetedo, Modakeke and Iwo. Next is Ede, Gbongan, Ikirun, Ikire, Okinni, Ifon, Ibokun, Owena and other prone areas in the state. These shall be done in the coming weeks.

“We do not want a repeat of what happened in Osogbo some years back. We are clearing all the canals and waterways, we are working to ensure that social services do not suffer." He noted

The commissioner said the state government would adopt whistle-blowing policy to stop residents from throwing their wastes by the roadside and at other unapproved sites

He said environmental marshals are already posted out to clean our major roads, adding that some will be engaged very soon to join the existing ones so that they can help to prevent those who might want to stay up late to violate the environmental laws and regulations.

Some of the waterways that have been dredged in Iwo which were visited by our correspondent are Yemoja pokuku, Kuti aiba area, Mogaji area, Iwo Grammar School, latiko and Odo ori in Iwo.