The Ogun Government has distributed relief materials to victims of last year’s flood disaster in Ado-Odo/Ota, Ijebu-Ode and Yewa South Local Government Areas of the state recently.

The Tide reports that items distributed included 300 bags of rice, 700 pieces of mattress, 70,000 pieces of insecticide treated nets and 1,000 pieces of blankets.

Speaking while distributing the items in Abeokuta, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Lanre Tejuoso, recalled that the state government had last year donated N5 million to the victims to alleviate their sufferings.

Tejuoso, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Femi Falano, called on residents to observe environmental laws to check flood disasters.

The call, according to Tejuoso, had become imperative because “experience has shown that regular de-silting of waterways and canals by the state government led to the reduction in the incidence of flooding across the state last year”.

“I will therefore enjoin you to follow suit and do same on your own to ensure free flow and prevent flooding,” Tejuoso added.

He called on corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals to partner the state by donating more relief materials to give the victims a new lease of life.

He said the Nigeria Ports Authority recently donated some items to the state government for the same purpose.

Responding on behalf of others,  the Principal Environmental Officer, Ado Odo/Ota Local Government, Mr. Tajudeen Salami thanked the state government for the gesture and assured that the items would be given to all the victims.

He pledged that meaningful steps would be taken to complement the efforts of the state by ensuring that canals and waterways were cleared regularly to ensure free flow of water.