Disaster: Over 300 Houses Destroyed By Heavy Dounpour In Ibadan

There is always great anxiety in the hearts of residents of Ibadan each time there is a heavy rainfall.
On Tuesday, it was raining Cats and Dogs in Ibadan and over 300 houses were affected in the heavy downpour.
    Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, according to the South West Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr Yakubu Sulieman.
Many houses including a Celestial Church of Christ, Orogun, along UI-Ojoo Road were submerged and property destroyed, areas heavily affected by the rain include Olodo, Oki, Akobo, Onipepeye, Kute, Eleyele and Ariyo.
NEMA said that it is still collating the number of families displaced and the means of livelihood destroyed.
The agency identified the major cause of the flood as indiscriminate dumping of refuse in rivers and erection of illegal structures on waterways and flood path.
The state government has promised to support affected residents and repair roads, culverts and drainages affected by the flood.
This assurance was given Wednesday by the State Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo when he led officials of National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, and the State Emergency Management Authority, SEMA, to the flooded areas.
Otunba Adeyemo warned residents to stop dumping refuse on waterways.
”It is unfortunate this has happened despite numerous preventive measures 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 play their role in avoiding a reocurrence of this natural disaster by adhering to environmental laws and patronizing Oyo State government registered waste disposal agents.
He warned that house owners at river banks should relocate or leave their houses 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 that due processes were followed during construction.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Chief Isaac Ishola advised residents to desist from dumping refuse in drainages and water ways, pointing out that these acts largely contributed to persistent flooding in the State.
NEMA’s representative, Mr. Sulaiman promised the agency’s readiness to support the State as it has done in the past. He assured that the agency would continue to fulfill its obligations to the people of the country.
    Houses along Olurunshogo area also suffered a great deal as most roofs caved in as a result of the heavy downpour

Kamcice.blogspot.com