Oyo State Trains Officials On Early Flood Signs

The Oyo State Government has commenced training for its officers on Early Warning System, as part of efforts to combat flooding in the state.

At the training, held in Ibadan, the state capital, the government revealed that the Early Warning Systems would go a long way in reducing risks from the disaster, as the Early Warning System was a coordinated system of warning that would alert people in flood-prone areas of the impending danger six hours before any flooding disaster.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, quotes the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Abiodun Oni, as saying that such would allow the people to evacuate their families in order to put an end to loss associated with flooding.

Oni explained that the coordinated system known as the Early Warning System, EWS, is a technologically driven effort that involves monitoring water level remotely using wired sensor network to ensure that people living in flood-prone communities receive appropriate warning within suitable time interval to take effective action to save lives and minimise loss of property.

He said: “It is not enough for an early warning system to correctly identify an incoming hazard, it must also ensure that the residents that are at risk receive the alert, understand it, and most importantly, act on it.

“With the climate change, the weather has become more unpredictable and we are unable to rely on traditional and indigenous knowledge in our decision-making.” Oni concluded.

The Hydraulic Specialist from the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project, IUFMP, Mr Lukman Akande, regretted that about 12 years ago, Oyo State experienced  flooding which destroyed many property and lives.

He notwd that the state consequently received assistance from the World Bank and an Early Warning System was put in place as part of one of the measures to forestall future occurrence of flooding in the state.

Akande further stressed that the Oyo State Government had engaged the services of  IRMSI, a Consultant Firm from India, to design an Early Warning System with a master plan for 20 years.

He added that the system would give a 72-hour notice to detect heavy rainfall which may lead to flooding within Ibadan.

The training also ensured consistent Early Warning System information and sensitisation to residents.

Confidence Okwuchi