Oyo State Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo inspecting CCC Orogun, that was affected by flood during the heavy downpour

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

The South West Zonal Coordinator, National Emegency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr Yakubu Sulieman has revealed that over 300 houses were affected by the heavy downpour of Tuesday in Ibadan, while property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

The heavy downpour left  many houses across the city, including a Celestial Church of Christ, Orogun, along UI-Ojoo Road were submerged in water after it subsided.

Among the areas the rain wrecked its havoc were: Olodo, Oki, Akobo, Onipepeye, Kute, Eleyele and Ariyo.

The Agency, which said that it is still collating the number of families displaced and means of livelihood destroyed however observed that the major cause of the flood was indiscriminate dumping of refuse in rivers and erecting of illegal structures on waterways and flood path.

However, the state government has promised to support affected residents, assuring that there would be prompt repair of roads, culverts and drainages affected by the flood.

These assurances were given on Wednesday by the State Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Moses Adeyemo when he led a combined team of State government functionaries, NEMA, and the State Emergency Management Authority, SEMA, officials to the flooded areas.

Otunba Adeyemo warned residents to stop dumping refuse on water ways, noting, “It is unfortunate this has happened despite many numerous preventive measure put in place by the government which include dredging of rivers, urban renewals and plans and various sensitization programmes.

“Despite this, some of our people have not stopped the habit of dumping refuse indiscriminately. However, we will not rest on our oars and our government, being a responsible one will provide succor for the affected people and commence repairs of roads, culverts and drainages. We hope to complete the repairs before the end of this year”.

Otunba Adeyemo admonished residents to help avert a reocurrence of the natural disaster by adhering to environmental laws and patronizing Oyo State government registered waste disposal agents, warning that house owners at river banks should relocate or leave their residences during heavy downpour.

He lamented the unprofessional attitude of some Structural Engineers who do not leave set-backs before construction of buildings and consequently called for professional building ethics to ensure those due processes are followed during constructions.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Chief Isaac Ishola advised residents in the state to desist from dumping refuse in drainages and water ways, pointing out that such acts largely contributed to persistent flooding in the State.