….Condoles victims, promises safer actions against reoccurrence
The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, yesterday denied the rumour that five people were drwoned by flooding that affected some sections of Ado Ekiti capital city, on Tuesday.
Areas ravaged by water after over five hours of torrential downpour include: Ureje Bridge along Polytechnic road, Eminrin Estate, Ilupeju avenue, Elemi, Ita Eku, Basiri, among others.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, accompanied by other top government functionaries, gave the denial, on Wednesday, while visiting the affected areas to assess the level of destruction caused by the incident.
Oyebanji, who regretted the level of havoc wreaked by the flood, assured that his government would map out life-saving mechanisms to mitigate destruction of property in areas submerged by water.
Reiterating that no life was lost in all the flood ravaged areas visited, Oyebanji said: “Our people should discountenance that rumour that five people died. Nothing of such happened. We have it on good authority that those who fell victim were saved by divers. So, our people shouldn’t panic.
“It was to avoid flooding that this government embarked on aggressive dredging of Ureje and Elemi Rivers early this year. We also channelised many drainages in Ado Ekiti. If not for that proactive actions, the wreckage could have been worse and more destructive.
“We sympathise with those that were affected by this flooding. My government won’t abandon them. We will take quick steps to address all your issues. We will surely come to your aid because the welfare of the people is paramount to Governor Biodun Oyebanji”.
Oyebanji warned Ekiti residents against unwholesome practices like reckless dumping of refuse and sewages inside canals and erection of buildings on waterways, describing these as actions that were exacerbating flooding in the state.
Also corroborating the Governor’s position, the diver, who rescued the five victims at Ureje Bridge, Chief Kolawole Falajiki, who was one of those that received the entourage, clarified that the victims were saved while being washed away by water, contrary to the rumour being peddled on social media.
“Nobody died , we ensured we saved all those that were caught in the web of flooding. Commuters numbering over 800 were trapped here at Ureje bank. They were witnessed to my story that nobody died”.
Falajiki alongside spokesmen of Ureje and Eminrin estate: Mr Tayo Olawuyi, Rasheed Akanbi and Alhaji Shine Salami, applauded the state government for dredging the river earlier in the year, saying the havoc could have been more disastrous if not for that well conceived action.
“The only way we can overcome this flooding permanently is for the government to blast the rock that is raising the water level inside Ureje River. That was why the water was overflowing the high bridge that connects Ado Ekiti to Afe Babalola University.
“Another way is that they should use concrete to channel the water downslope. These are the permanent solutions to the challenge”.