By Francis Ekeh

The Kwara State Government wishes to inform members of the public that some of the trends currently being experienced in the volume, duration and pattern of rainfall which in turn leads to massive flood can be  attributed to the effect of climate change on our environment

This unfriendly change in our climate is caused by natural phenomenon as well as human activities. 

It will be observed that our rainy season and dry season no longer fall on the normal transition months as human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land.

This explains the weather extremes being witnessed across the globe, including our immediate communities as well as other states within the region. 

The administration of  Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has responded to some of the challenges associated with this change through the dredging and channelisation of the Asa River, which it facilitated through Federal Government’s Ecological Funds Office, desilting of drainages, provision of additional waste bins, ongoing expansion of the dumpsite for proper waste disposal, encouragement of wastes recycling, irrigation system for Farmers, and regular advocacy on environmental issues through the media and interpersonal interactions, and enforcements.

On this note, the Ministry of Environment implores individuals, NGOs and CSOs to kindly support the government in climate change adaptation and advocacy as this is crucial for us to build resilience and save our environment. 

There is a need for all of us to take ownership of our surroundings and encourage others to also do same, as the Environment gives to us what we put in it. 

Members of the public are reminded that as our activities destroy the environment, our society keeps degrading and this in turn comes to haunt us all. 

Therefore, it is a collective responsibility of every member of the public to improve the quality of our environment, in order to make it a better place for all and sundry.

Finally, in order to avert loss of lives and property, we urge the good people of Kwara to kindly get all necessary approvals before embarking on buildings of any kind, desist from building houses close to or on the waterways, heed to flood warnings, stop dumping of refuse along watercourses, desilt surrounding drainages, stop open burning, plant trees, and to promptly alert the ministry on environmental issues around you as the Government is doing all that is possible within its resources to encourage sustainable living and provide sustainable relief for Kwarans within the environment space.

Signed:
Banigbe Remilekun Oluwatobi 
Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Kwara State