Expert urges Ekiti to enact flood-resilience law after recurring disasters

Water resources expert Michael Ale has called on the Ekiti State Government and House of Assembly to introduce stronger legislation to address recurring flooding across the state.

Ale, coordinator of the Global Development Initiative, said repeated flooding in areas including Ado Ekiti showed the need for stronger institutions capable of enforcing urban-planning and environmental regulations.

His intervention followed recent flooding that caused deaths, property damage and disruption of economic activities in parts of Ekiti.

Proposed law would strengthen planning rules

Ale proposed a Flood Resilience and Urban Planning Enforcement Law.

He said such legislation should make annual dredging of major waterways mandatory before the rainy season, establish no-build buffer zones around vulnerable waterways and require proper drainage clearance before construction projects are approved.

Ale identified blocked drainage systems, construction on waterways, inadequate dredging and indiscriminate waste disposal as factors contributing to recurring flooding.

He argued that many of those risks are predictable, meaning authorities should focus more heavily on prevention rather than reacting only after floods occur.

Calls for early-warning and waste-management systems

The expert also proposed stronger waste-management institutions capable of sanctioning people who dump refuse into drainage channels.

He called for an emergency-management structure with a functional early-warning system to alert residents when severe flooding is expected.

Ale said Ekiti could learn from flood-management interventions implemented in Oyo State, including efforts supported by international development partners.

He also urged residents not to walk or drive through floodwaters during heavy rainfall, warning that people should wait for water levels to recede before attempting to cross flooded areas