The Kwara State Government has commended the Federal Government over the on-going channelization of Asa River, saying that the project would stop to the perennial flooding experienced in the state.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Barrister Kayode Towoju, said in a chat with Daily Trust that the channelization would also open up more business activities in the state.

Towoju particularly gave kudos to the former governor of the state and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki for facilitating the project.

The commissioner said that the current channelization exercise was the first phase of the project out of the three phases the project would go through.

The first phase of the project according to him would cover Coca-Cola Bridge to Unity Bridge and it will pass through Emir’s Road Bridge and Amilengbe Bridge all in Ilorin metropolis.

Towoju said that the dredging would be 40 meters wide and 25 meters each at both sides.

He said that the dredging of Asa River remained a project that Kwara people and the state government have been yearning for. Towoju expressed optimism that when completed it would open up more business activities adding that part of the river bank may be used for picnic where people would be enjoying themselves after a day’s work.

He stated that the state government was working with the federal government to ensure the successful completion of the channelization.

“The Federal Government is handling the project but we at the state level is providing an enabling environment for the contractor handling the project so that we will collectively work towards the success of the project,” he said.