The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Wednesday, said that nobody was swept away by the flood that affected some sections of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital Tuesday evening.
Following the heavy rains that lasted some hours on Tuesday, flood ravaged the Ureje Bridge area along Polytechnic Road, Eminrin Estate, Ilupeju Avenue, Elemi, Ita Eku and Basiri among others in the capital city.
Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, accompanied by other top government functionaries, spoke at the Ureje Bridge area during a visit to the affected locations to
assess the level of destruction caused by the incident.
Oyebanji, who regretted the damage done by the flood, said his government would map out life saving mechanisms to mitigate the destruction of property in areas submerged by water.
A viral video was giving the impression some people were swept away and as well rumoured in the state that some people drowned in the flood water.
But the governor said: “Our people should discountenance the 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 channeled many drainages in Ado Ekiti. If not for the 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 such as 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.
One of the divers, who rescued some victims at Ureje Bridge, Chief Kolawole Falajiki, clarified that the victims were saved while being washed away by water.
Falajiki said: “Nobody died. We ensured we saved all those who were caught in the web of flooding. Commuters numbering over 800 were trapped here at Ureje bank. They are witnesses to my story that nobody died.”
Residents of Ureje and Eminrin Estate, Mr Tayo Olawuyi, Rasheed Akanbi, and Alhaji Shine Salami, who spoke on behalf of other residents, urged the government to blast the huge rocks in Ureje River for free flow of water.
Olawuyi said: “Another way is that they should use concrete to channel the water downslope. These are the permanent solutions to the challenge”.
The residents lauded 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.
