Residents of Ekiti State have been charged to desist from acts that can lead to flooding and other natural disasters during this rainy season and beyond.
This charge was made during the official inspection of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the scene of flooded areas in Ido Ekiti as a result of the recent heavy rainfalls.
The officials led by the General Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Olajide Borode said the visit became imperative to have an on the spot assessment exercise to evaluate the essence of collapsed bridge and loss of properties in Ido-Ekiti, Ido Osi Local Government Area.
He stressed that most flooding are man-made, as they are mostly caused by improper dumping of refuse and erection of structures on water ways.
Responding to the pleas from the victims, the General Manager explained that his agency and its national counterpart were only saddled with the duty of distributing relief materials to victims of natural disasters, while channelization and construction of drainage were carried out by the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
Borode assured that the agencies would ensure that government extend the distribution of relief materials to the affected residents in due course.
While briefing the newsmen on the incident, the Chairman of Ido/Osi Local Government, Hon. Sola Ogunsina said that a certain river named Awonni usually overflew its bank during rainy seasons, thereby flooding the community and its environs.
According to him, the affected areas included Okere, Alapo and Lion of Judah streets, all in Ido-Ekiti.
“The Chairman said the flood incident happened on 6th, 7th and 22nd of June, 2023 consecutively; which made the residents to call him on phone at the dead of the night for help, but could not visit them until morning because of the timing.
Ogunsina stressed that the location of Ido town was uphill and that flood from other communities flow in through the Awonni river thereby causing huge damage to Ido Ekiti, pleading with the State Government for drainage construction and channelization as that would go a long way to check incessant floods in the community.
One of the victims, Mr Seun Afolayan, said that the aftermath of the flood was usually a horrible experience as it results in the loss of lives, properties and livestock that have been acquired over the years.
He, however, called on the State Government to promptly assist them.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
