People of Ajikobi Central Ward and other neighbouring communities in Ilorin, Kwara State have heaved a sigh of relief as the Federal Government  commenced channelisation work on the  Asa river.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who spoke on behalf of the people commended the Federal Government over the commencement of channelisation work on the Asa River in Ilorin.

The project, according to Saraki was long overdue, adding that  the dredging of the river would go a long way in preventing the loss of lives and property, which he said usually occurred whenever the river over flow its banks.  

“We are happy that the contractors handling the project have finally moved to site afterward. We hope that they would move quickly towards the completion of the job. It is long overdue. As you all know that people have lost their lives, while property worth millions of naira have been destroyed,” he said.

Senator Saraki also assured that his committee in the Senate would, through its oversight function ensure that a reoccurrence of the 2012 devastating flood is prevented by monitoring activities of  the ministry and relevant agencies of government responsible for flood prevention.

“The government has set up a presidential committee on the issue of flooding and the presidential committee is moving round and making efforts. We will continue our oversight function to ensure that all those agencies of government do the right thing to ensure that this kind of disasterz does not happen.

“Even,  when it happened last time, it was our committee that moved out to identify some of these areas. So, we know our responsibility and as I said the presidential committee is on top of it,” he said.