As part of efforts to address the perennial problem of flooding in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, caused by Asa River and its tributaries, the Federal Government on Wednesday approved N1.234 billion for the channelisation of the river.

This is just as the Federal Government also expressed concern over the maintenance of the Ogunpa River in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and called for the report on the maintenance of the river ahead of the forth coming rainy season.

The N1.23 billion for the channelisation of the Asa River will also affect its tributaries which run through Ilorin, a river that has constant flooding over the past five years resulting in great losses to surrounding communities.

The Federal Government has also ordered the Ministry of Environment to take a quick audit of the environment to prevent incursions and encroachment by people, which have caused incessant flooding of the Ogunpa River, and have militated against previous efforts to check the menace.

Giving insight into the contract, minister of environment, Hadiza Mailafia said her ministry had already placed a warning over the possibility of the Ogunpa River over-flowing ahead of the forth coming rainy season.

Explaining the rationale behind the approval, Labaran Maku, minister of information, also declared that the attendant destruction of lives and property by the Asa River has been of major source of concern to Kwara State and the Federal Governments.

He noted that the menace of the flood in 2007 and 2008 were particularly so severe that government had to establish shelters for the displaced people in schools, mosques and churches within the town. As a result, officials of Department of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zones Management (EFCZM) of the Ministry Environment recommended the dredging of the river.

Federal Government expressed worry over the Ogunpa River where it said about N7.5 billion had been approved for its maintenance and called for a report on the maintenance of the river in Ibadan.

He noted that the Ogunpa was also a serious concern to the government, saying the council requested for a quick audit of happenings around the area so as to avoid flooding.

He also said measures are to be put in place immediately to address other ecological problems in different parts of the country.