flooded community road
Sodiq Ojuroungbe
Faced by perennial flooding, about 10 communities in the Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to the government to urgently intervene and help them to save their homes and livelihoods from being submerged.
Residents of the communities, which include Ijale-Ketu, Oke Ola, Oke Eyo, Asa, Ayetoro Oguba, Idigbo, Omilende, and several others, lamented that they have been cut off from the rest of the state due to the overflow of a local river known as Odo Idi after a downpour.
Speaking during the tour of the affected communities on Saturday, the Onijale of Ijale-Ketu, Oba Adeniyi Oyero, expressed concern that they have been cut off by the flood and all efforts to get the attention of the state government have proved abortive.
Flood
According to him, the communities have been struggling with flooding for many years and that every attempt made to get the attention of the government, failed.
The monarch recalled that between 2003 and 2007, a former Senator representing Ogun West, Iyabo Anisulowo, constructed a bridge as part of her constituency project, but it was unable to withstand the annual flooding.
Oyero explained that the road leading to the river was opened during the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, under the Directorate for Foods, Roads and Rural Infrastructure Programme, but has since been abandoned, subjecting the communities to suffering.
The traditional ruler lamented that the flooding has not only displaced residents but also destroyed homes, farmlands, and infrastructure.
He urged Governor Dapo Abiodun, as well as federal and state representatives, to come to their aid and provide a lasting solution to the flooding.
The traditional ruler called on the government to construct a new bridge, repair the road, and implement other measures to prevent future flooding.
The monarch also said the residents should be assisted with relief materials, as many residents have lost their properties and means of livelihood.
He noted that the situation has become a humanitarian crisis, with many residents forced to flee their homes and seek shelter elsewhere.
Oyero added, “The flood has brought our community to its knees. We urgently need the state government’s assistance to restore our homes, roads, and means of livelihoods. We have been abandoned to suffer in this flood. Our people are struggling to survive, and we need help now more than ever.
“The flood has destroyed our infrastructure, our homes, and our businesses. We need the government to come to our aid and help us rebuild. We are not asking for favours, we are asking for the government to fulfil its responsibility to its citizens. We need help, and we need it now.
“The flood has displaced our people, destroyed our properties, and disrupted our lives. We need the government’s assistance to restore our community to its former glory.”
Corroborating the king, one of the residents, Ganiyu Atanda confirmed that the community road remains impassable.
He added that the community also lack access to essentials like food, medicine, and clean water.
Atanda said,” The flood came suddenly, without warning. We were trapped in our homes, with no way to escape. We had to wait for hours until the waters receded enough for us to get out.
“The king is right; the flood has destroyed our infrastructure, homes, and businesses. We need the government’s assistance to rebuild our community and lives.
“We have been abandoned to suffer in this flood. We need help, and we need it now. We can’t afford to wait any longer.”
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