Date: 2012-04-14

The Kwara State government issued yesterday a flood alert to residents of three local government areas, around the bank of the River Niger, asking them to vacate their houses with immediate effect due to impending flooding of the river.

It also asked residents of Ilorin residing at the bank of Asa Dam to vacate their houses to allow for the channelisation of Asa River.

In repeated public announcements, the Ministry of Environment said people in Patigi, Edu and Moro Local Government areas, whose houses are near the River Niger should vacate such with immediate effect.

A similar statement also came from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, asking residents of Ilorin, residing at the bank of Asa Dam, to vacate their houses.

The statement reminded the affected residents that work would soon commence on the channelisation of Asa River, following the approval of the commencement of work on its channelisation by the Federal Executive Council.

Although the state government had in 2009, following the devastating flood that occurred when Asa River overflew its bank, marked some buildings along the course of the river for demolition, many of the occupants of such building have refused to vacate them, in spite of the danger the dilapidated buildings posed to the security of their lives and property.