Consequent on the heavy downpour that Ibadan witnessed recently which caused massive flows on most rivers and streams that pass through the city and raised the apprehension of residents, the Project Coordinator of Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), Engr. Olasunkanmi Sokeye has assured residents that there was no cause for alarm.
The Project Coordinator gave the assurance during his consolidated appearances on some major radio stations, as part of the Project’s efforts to calm the agitations of residents, especially those living or working around the IUFMP intervention corridors, on the adequacy or capacity of the ongoing works to contain likely flooding as the rains come in torrential volume this season.
While fielding questions from presenters of the respective programmes differently on Thirty-Two FM 94.9, Splash 105.5 FM, and Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Engr. Sokeye confirmed that the rain which lasted about four hours was heavy and likely to trigger flooding. He, however, added that the ongoing channelization of major rivers such as Ona, Ogbere, Kudeti, Orogun, and Agodi by IUFMP was a gamechanger, in that each of the river channels had been much widened and deepened, while concrete slope linings had been erected on some substantial portions.
For communities located downstream of the Ona River channel, particularly residents of Onipon, Aba Ibeji, Podo, Odo Ona Kekere, etc., the PC stated that the pre-existing undersize bridge at Onipon was badly eroded by the downpour, thus cutting off vehicular/pedestrian access to the communities. He clarified that the negative reactions expressed by some of the residents was informed by the unawareness that the channelization works and the appurtenant services were still work-in-progress, with the current progress at barely 20% completion level. He reiterated that the communities would be the major beneficiaries of the ongoing works, as it would help to safeguard them from likely future flood occurrences, when completed.
As regards the eroded Onipon bridge, the Coordinator assured residents that the dilapidated structure was already being considered for demolition and reconstruction to make for a bigger and more capacious bridge that would adequately carry the volume of water in the ongoing river channelization.
Engr. Sokeye then outlined the roles of the general public to complement the efforts of the Oyo State Government through IUFMP on ensuring that flooding in Ibadan is reduced to the barest minimum. These, according to him, included stopping indiscriminate dumping of solid wastes in drainages, waterways, and river courses, as well as avoiding building of houses, shops and other structures at flood-prone areas and river setbacks.
On a final note, the PC urged all Project stakeholders to stay calm, while assuring them that the Oyo State Government through the Project was doing its optimal best to mitigate the issue of flooding in Ibadan City, adding that efforts were being ramped up to prevent the ongoing works from jeopardizing lives and livelihoods.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
