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Tag: Ondo Flood

  • Flood takes over major roads, wreaks havoc In Ondo community

    Flood takes over major roads, wreaks havoc In Ondo community

    A devastating flood has taken over some major roads and streets in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, following a torrential rainfall.

    The flood, it was gathered, wreaked havoc as the rainfall continued on Friday, disrupting economic activities as people were unable to connect their various destinations in the town. 

    Major roads in the ancient town, such as: Erinje area, Ogungbo junction, and Ode Etikan, which had no drainage, were reportedly affected by the flood. 

    The situation was also not different from some parts of Ereke, Ayetitun, and Temidire area, which were partly submerged, creating traffic gridlocks across the town’s commercial nerve centre.

    It was gathered the flood also hit the major road leading to the residence of the chairman of the local government, Andrew Ogunsakin.

    A legal practitioner and resident of Okitipupa, Barrister Wale Omolegbon Odusola, shared the devastated flooding and conditions of the roads in a two-seconds video on social media. 

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    But some residents, who spoke to The Nation, attributed the flooding to the blockage of waterways and refusal to construct proper drainage system on the roads. 

    One of the residents, Adeleye Ibukun, explained that his residence has been submerged by the flood, lamenting that the situation has hindered him from assessing his compound. 

    According to Ibukun, the flood was due to improper channelling of flood water that led to blockage and building on drainage right of ways in the town. 

    “It’s devastating as i speak with you. The whole place is flooded. We can’t even access the roads. Everywhere is full of water, and people cannot pass through to their house. 

    “The problem is a result of improper channelling of water drainage system on the major street. Most of the houses were constructed without drainage. It’s sad right now,” he said. 

    Another resident, Seyi Awoyemi Ige, also lamented that his house was submerged by water, noting that the development was a result of the lack of a functional drainage system in the new housing site. 

    He called on the Ondo State government to rescue the residents of the town before things got out of hand.

    “I can’t access my house. Even those who have cars are stranded due to the flood. I have to rely on commercial motorcycles because the road leading to my house is currently cut off from the major road due to the flood.

     “We are begging the government to come to our rescue. I live in a new site where there is no drainage, which makes the water run into residential homes, rendering us homeless,” Ige added. 

    The LG chairman, Ogunsakin confirmed the flooding incident when contacted. 

    “The secretary of the local government has visited the affected areas and we already making intervention,” he told our reporter. 

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had predicted a heavy rainfall and strong winds in Ondo and 30 other states. 

    However, the natural disaster came amid effort by the State Government to avert another cycle of flood-related destruction in major cities of the state. 

    Last week, the State gyovernment began the clearing of waterways and cracking down on illegal structures blocking natural water channels across the state.

    Kjnga Olumide, the administrative secretary, Ministry of Environment in the state had disclosed that three amphibious excavators have been deployed to critical flood-prone zones both in the northern, central and southern senatorial districts as part of the state’s emergency flood response.

    “The excavators, now actively working and our mandate is clear, these machines must run concurrently to ease water flow and stop erosion from wreaking havoc,” he said. 

  • Ondo orders evacuation as flood wreaks havoc

    Ondo orders evacuation as flood wreaks havoc

    • Benue River water receding, says Agency

    • Zulum releases N20b for victims, infrastructure

    Ondo governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered evacuation of the  areas affected by the flood incident that wreaked havoc in the state yesterday.

    Massive flooding resulting from long hours of downpour had ruined the weekend for many residents.

    Numerous houses, including the Oke-Odunwo bridge and Itanla area were flooded.

    Commuters plying the Akure-Ore highway were stranded for many hours as a result of the flood incident.

    Many parts of the town in Ondo West were flooded with  some passengers trapped inside their vehicles.

    A yet to be confirmed report said one person was swept away by the flood but Ondo Police spokesman, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said no report of any death has been lodged  as at press time.

    A former candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, Babajide Akin-Thomas, was among the many commuters who managed to drive to safety.

    Sharing his experience, Babajide posted: “On my way from Abuja today, about to enter my home town, Ondo City, see rain, see flood. Thank God we quickly turned back and drove to a hill. We are safe, myself and my P.A. Some other people and their vehicles are stuck.”

    Vice Chairman, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ondo West local government, Hon Basiru Oluwole, blamed  the flood incident on indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages and construction of houses on waterways.

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    Hon Oluwole said the flood affected almost all the areas of Ondo West.

    He said the flood would have caused severe havoc if the state government had not earlier deployed an excavator to desilt drains in the area.

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniran, ordered evacuation of the affected areas and deployment of rapid response of the government to halt further damages.

    Aiyedatiwa who sympathised with the Osemawe of Ondo and the people of Ondo kingdom, said every necessary machinery had been put in place to avert the possible flood as predicted by NIMET.

    He said Amphibious Excavators had been deployed into critical erosion-prone areas in the state for dredging.

    He said work had also been going on at the most critical erosion prone locations in Ondo town.

    Meanwhile, the Ekimogun Roundtable, a foremost socio-economic group of Ondo Indigenes both at home and abroad has appealed to the Federal Government and the Ondo State governor to come to their aid in addressing a serious ecological issue claiming the lives and properties of the people of Ondo Town.

    In a statement signed by its Acting Secretary, Christiana Ayodele yesterday  in Abuja, the group identified Ayeyemi, Ajilo, Oke-odunwo and Ife Roads in Ondo Community as some of the areas taken over by flood.

    The group said that the flooding issue in the community has assumed an emergency situation, claiming lives and valuable properties of the people every year, while others alive cannot sleep with their two eyes closed.

    The group called on relevant Federal Government agencies, including the Ecological Fund Office, National Emergency Agency and the State Government to urgently come to assess the situation to proffer a permanent solution.

    The statement said: “The flooding which started around Ife Road, Saluwa, Sabo, New town, Itanla, Oke Odunwo and Orimolade areas of the town is nearly enveloping the entire Ondo City and moving beyond a seasonal issue now to a crisis situation that endangers our lives, disrupts our education, threatens our livelihoods, and leaves lasting scars on our people and the community.

    “We believe that with coordinated effort and political will, this issue can be resolved before more lives are put at risk.

    “As a people and a community we have tried our best to address this situation, but we are now stressed beyond the limit, we stand ready to collaborate with government authorities at all levels to develop a comprehensive flood management plan and ensure that our community is protected from further harm.

     “For the sake of our families, businesses, and future, we demand action.”

    Benue River water receding, says Agency

    The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, yesterday allayed the fears of the citizens unsettled by  the ravaging effects of flood incidents in the different parts of the country.   NIHSA assured that there is no cause for alarm as it announced that River Benue is receding.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Director General, NIHSA, Umar Mohammed.

    Mohammed said  the agency in line with its mandate had remained committed to constantly monitoring  the water levels of the nation’s major rivers and tributaries and overall commitment to flood management in Nigeria.

    He said: “The water level in River Benue is minimally receding in the past few days, and the probability of a devastating flooding along River Benue is progressively eroding.

    “Due to variability of the climate, citizens should keep safe as well as keep observing the flood preparedness protocols.

    “NIHSA is in synergy with the authorities and management of Lagdo Dam for their releases and the Agency is committed to monitoring the water levels at the critical stations.”

    Zulum releases N20b for victims, infrastructure

    Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has presented cheques of N20b in support of victims of Maiduguri flood and rehabilitation of affected public structures.

    A cheque of N10b was presented to the Chairman of Borno Flood Disaster Relief Disbursement Committee, while another cheque of N10b was given to the Commissioner of Works for rehabilitation of public structures.

    Presenting the cheques at a ceremony in Government House, Maiduguri yesterday, Zulum said money realised from people would be used 50-50 for the victims and food and non-food items.

    “The basket fund contributions being received from some states, organisations and individuals across Nigeria would be  utilised 50 per cent for victims and 50 per cent for food items.

    “I want to assure the general public that under no circumstances the basket fund shall be diverted from the intended purpose.

    “I want 50 per cent of the quantum of money in the basket fund to go directly to victims and the remaining 50 per cent for the procurement of food and non-food items for the victims,” Zulum said.

    Zulum said in view of the fact that the flood had also affected farmlands and businesses, farmers and business owners who lost their sources of livelihood would also be supported.

    The governor, who expressed gratitude to all those who donated and those who showed solidarity to the people of Borno at the trying moment, also lauded the effective role of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in generating support for the victims.

    “I want to thank the Federal Government for its series of support in the areas of food and non-food items.

    “The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has so far sent 100 trucks of rice and another 100 trucks of assorted grains,” Zulum said.

    The governor also inaugurated a 28-Member Technical Committee to determine the cause of Alau Dam collapse that led to the Sept. 10 flood disaster in Maiduguri and environs, which affected more than one million people.

    The committee which has Engr. Abba Garba as Chairman is to conduct a plenary assessment to determine the immediate and remote cause of the incident.

    The committee is to determine the extent of damage to the dam, its structural integrity and recommend remedial action to contain the continuous flow of flood water from the dam.

    Zulum said the committee would collaborate and facilitate the job of the already established committee by the federal government considering the urgency of the situation in Borno.

    The committee has been mandated to complete its assignment within four weeks.