…Victims cry out for help, accuse govt of nonchalance
BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Osogbo, the capital of Osun State witnessed widespread devastation and destruction on Tuesday night as a result of heavy downpour.
The about four-hour torrential rainfall caused flooding in different parts of the town and destroyed property worth millions of Naira, including public utilities like roads and bridges.
One of the affected places included the Osun State Government House in Oke-Fia area of the state capital. The flood collapsed the perimeter fence at the entrance of the state building that houses Governor Gboyega Oyetola, was destroyed.
It was gathered that the downpour started around 8pm and lasted till around 11pm. The areas mostly affected were Oke-Baale, Alekuwodo, Onireke, Obate, Awosuru, Sadiat, Testing Ground, Atimowa in Osogbo.
Businesses dealing in cement, flour, pharmacy, gas stations, bakeries, boutiques and provisions stores were affected including churches. Residential houses were also destroyed.
The flood sacked residents of the areas from their houses as victims of the floods in some areas visited by our correspondents were seen sun-drying their soaked property as part of salvage efforts.
While most victims were battling to salvage their damaged property, the state government was making efforts to reconstruct the collapsed fence as some bricklayers and other building artisans were sighted at the Government House covering it with a blue-coloured leather as repair works were ongoing.
At Awosuru area of Osogbo, the flood damaged a bridge there and also washed away some parts of residents’ homes.
Officials of Federal Road Safety Corps drafted to the area had a hectic day battling traffic as the incident compounded the terrible traffic snarl being witnessed in Osogbo since the commencement of the flyover project at Olaiya.
Meanwhile, some of the affected business persons at Oke-Baale area, who spoke with our correspondent, heaped the blame of their misfortune on the Osun State Government.
They claimed that the government failed to construct a bigger bridge at Oke-Baale and that whenever it rained torrentially, the bridge could not contain the water, thus causing flood in the area.
They, however, begged the government for interventions because the flood had damaged their wares.
“We have been calling on the state government to see how this bridge (pointing to the bridge) could be removed and a bigger one constructed, but nothing has been done. Whenever it rains heavily, this bridge cannot contain the water. The water ways should also be expanded. We have really lost a lot due to this flood every year, we beg government to come to our aid,” one of the victims, Musba Adegbola lamented.
A shop owner at the Onireke area, Ishola Mutiu who sells electronics, said the flood would have swept people away while trying to salvage their goods.
He said, “I was in my shop when the rain started but I didn’t know it was going to be like this. The flood took over everywhere, it was God’s intervention that saved all of us here. We would have been submerged or swept away.”
In an attempt at estimating his loss, Mutiu said items destroyed in his shop were worth around N5 million.
Residents of the area said they could not sleep in their various houses as they ran for safety on Tuesday night.
A shop owner at Obate area, Agboola Owoniyi who sells cement said the rain was too heavy, hence they could not take anything from the shop.
“The flood took over this upstairs and this road. I just stocked my shop, the water affected some of the bags of cement worth about N400,000,” Owoniyi said.
Another businesswoman who sells bags of rice and groundnut oil, Ogunyemi Jumoke who was in tears told our correspondent that she could not estimate her loss at the moment and begged for government’s intervention.
“There is no hope for me, my tools have been damaged by water while my shop has also collapsed. Some of the beauty items that I am selling have been washed away by the flood. I beg the government to show mercy on us here,” a hairdresser, Sanusi Kafayat cried out.
However, the state government has called for calm among citizens, and assured victims of the flood disaster of its response where necessary.
A statement signed by Funke Egbemode, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation in the state on Wednesday, said government had activated its emergency response system, comprising stakeholders in disaster management, which include environmental management officers, health workers and security agencies, to respond efficiently to the incident where necessary.
She said, “The government therefore appeals to those who this sad incident has affected in any way to remain calm and await prompt and lasting solution in the overall interest of the state.
“Citizens are also advised to be vigilant in the wake of the season’s downpour of varying intensity, and desist from unsafe waste disposal which poses greater hazards to the environment.
“The government is mindful of its responsibilities to protect lives and property under all circumstances, and it shall continue to do so at all times.”
