Residents of Moro, Patigi and Kaiama Local Government Areas in Kwara have been urged to take proactive measures to minimise damages from heavy rainfall and flood expected due to a forecast.

The Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Hon. Samuel Bamisaiye, gave this charge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ilorin. 

According to him, the warning becomes necessary in order to minimise damages that may occur as a result of the forecast heavy rainfall and its attendant flood. 

He said that after an alert from the Federal Ministry of Environment through its Flood Early Warning System (FEWS), the ministry decided to sensitise residents. 

Bamisaiye said there was the need for all buildings and structures along river banks or on streams to be evacuated with immediate effect. 

The commissioner explained that the flood, according to the forecast, would occur in Jebba and other adjoining towns to the River Niger between now and April 30. 

He ordered all residents along river banks to vacate the areas and ensure strict compliance as the ministry would soon commence the demolition of illegal structures along the banks. 

Bamisaiye advised the general public to clean their drainage and stop the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into gutters, rivers, waterways and streams. 

According to him, this advice will go a long way to create a sustainable, friendly and hazard-free environment in Kwara. (NAN)