Write a petition letter to the government when activities of neighbor affects or creates problems in your environment – TPL. Ogunseyi Ayodele Joseph

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU: A program sponsored by sustainable design consult dedicated to enlightening listeners on environment and town planning related issues happening in their neighborhood and also an avenue for groups of lower socio-economic status voices to be heard.

On a new episode of the program, the host Comfort Omolafe will be asking some questions on effect of rainy season to physical planning from The guests TPL  Ayokunle Ijalana, Assistant secretary Nigerian Institute of town planners(NIPT) Ondo state branch and also the General secretary Association of town planners with the sponsor of the program TPL Ogunseyi Ayodele Joseph.

 Is rainy season a good or bad season for physical planning?

TPL Ayokunle Ijalana said Physical planning is what we see around us. A well planned place will have no issue with rainy season, A bad planned place faces more issues with water. He said if the environment is well planned, rainy season won’t be an issue at all.

TPL Ogunseyi Ayodele Joseph further said materials used in constructing has a lot to do during rainy season. He said people tend to do what they like during dry season. Rainy season is a good season in agriculture and also in physical planning provided the construction work is adequate.

 What are the challenges rainy season pose to Physical planning?

TPL Ayokunle Ijalana said the environment needs appropriate measures. He said if some steps are not taken, it can be a challenge. Water borne diseases, waste dumped inside gutter or canal can cause flooding. He asked what are the plans laid down before rain comes? He said flooding happens with natural and human activities and the most common one is human activities such as dumping waste anywhere they like, when there is no drainage, all these become issues when rain finally comes.

TPL Ogunseyi Ayodele Joseph said flooding has caused a whole lot of havoc in the society. He even gave an instance to how a man tried to save and rescue his son and eventually died with the child when the building collapse. Flooding is one of the challenges rainy season pose on physical planning. Infrastructure is difficult to maintain during rainy season, flooding occur in a situation whereby the drainage are blocked, condemned iron,articles and some other items on the road. Another challenge is safety problem, a well structured building can be affected if another person’s building isn’t well structured and that is in terms of fencing, People tend to fence their house because of safety and it can be a challenge if not properly done.

 What are the effects of flooding in gutters when a person has a gutter and his/her neighbour doesn’t?

TPL Ogunseyi Ayodele Joseph said petition letter should be written to the government when activities of neighbor is affecting or creating problems in the future. Government officials cannot be everywhere and besides tools are not available for them to move around or inspect, so if petition letter is written to them the government officials will definitely check on the place and the letter is being written to the government, there will be rights for the person who wrote the letter that if anything happens in the future, the neighbor will have to pay for the damage caused.

 Is it possible not to have havoc to properties in rainy season?

TPL Ayokunle Ijalana said it is possible not to have havoc to properties during rainy season. He said National emergency management agency (NEMA) earlier this year warned Nigerian against massive flooding and after NEMA warning Nigerians, what are the steps put in place to prevent flooding? How prepared are we? Have we taken mitigation? No, we are not prepared and human activities tend to cause havoc to the environment.

TPL Ogunseyi Ayodele Joseph further said it is possible not to have havoc to properties if adequate planning is done before rain comes. He said people are used to fire brigade approach, He used Akure as an example that flooding occur yearly in Akure where there is no canal that can collect water from small drainage. There should be concrete canal to collect water from small drainage. People are deceiving themselves by not going for development permit before constructing their building.

 How can Fiwasaye roundabout problem be stopped permanently when there is heavy down pour?

TPL Ayokunle Ijalana said the area has been an issue time to time. He said the river port should be allowed to flow the human way and there should be 30 meters on the left side of the road and 30 meters on the right side of the road so as to make the water move freely and not cause flooding and problem to the people.

TPL Ogunseyi Ayodele Joseph said concrete canal should be provided.

 What can be done directly to the challenges of rain assuming the guests are in charge of the ministry?

TPL Ayokunle Ijalana said there will be collaboration with ministry of environment to deal with issues of environment such as flooding and the things that cause flooding.

TPL Ogunseyi Ayodele Joseph said if he were to be in charge, he will put down the details and try as much as possible to construct canals which will solve some problems.