Kingsley U.N. Chikwendu —
Following a six hour heavy downpour last Sunday night, some residents of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, were displaced as flood wreaked havoc in the area.
The heavy downpour which began late Sunday night and subsided at about 3: 22am on Monday, had victims losing valuable items in areas like Oshodi, Ilupeju Avenue, Ureje, Ita Eku, and Temidire Eminrin, a suburb of Ado Ekiti.
Many have been unable to have access path to their places of daily engagements.
According to Environews, a resident of Temidire Emirin community and victim of the flood, Mr Jude Ajulo, said they were inside sleeping when the water suddenly surged into their residence around 2:00am, and submerged their property.
Ajulo revealed that the occupants of the three-bedroom bungalow had to run out when the water level was rising and threatening their lives.
“This has been the occurrence every year, he said.
“It happened in the same way few years ago before the administration of Mr Ayodele Fayose dredged Ureje River.
“The only way the government can help us is to re-dredge the river to be able to contain the running water coming down from Odo-Ado, Oshodi, Ilupeju Avenue to our community.
“It is sad that our property and lives were being threatened every time we experience heavy downpour, and this shouldn’t be allowed to continue.”
The General Manager, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Mr Olajide Borode, said the agency had started visiting the areas affected with intention to get first-hand information on the extent of damage caused by flooding.
“You all know that the government of Ekiti State is serious about disaster management policy, the SEMA boss said:
“Safety of lives and property is a priority of the current government, and we won’t joke with it.
“Our officials are presently visiting the areas affected, so that we can get the correct information that can guide government’s action in resolving the incident”, he added.
