Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the newly-rehabilitated Eleyele Dam, saying it would end the perennial flood disaster in Ibadan.
The project, he said, would boost the supply of potable water to parts of the state capital.
He said the project was one of the investments in flood control assets being implemented under the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project, funded and technically supported by the World Bank.
He said, “I believe we are at the threshold of history for the official commissioning of the newly-rehabilitated and refurbished Eleyele Dam. With this project, we have put in check the perennial flood disaster in the city of Ibadan.
“We are also boosting the supply of potable water to neighbourhoods and communities around the capital city here.
“This is one of the many investments in flood control assets being implemented under the Ibadan Urban Flood Management project with funding and technical assistance by the World Bank. The last time I had the chance to meet formally with the management of IUFMP and representatives of the World Bank was in November 2019.
“The IUFMP project was a courageous move to ensure that we do not have a repeat of the history of 26th August, 2011. Also, during my electioneering, I told people that for us, continuity in government is sacrosanct. I said that we would look at projects started by the previous administration, which are beneficial to the people of Oyo State.
“The dam is being commissioned today but we also have quite a lot to do. We have the channelisation of major rivers in the state and these are ongoing.”
