Over 300 houses submerged in flood - NEMA

Over 300 houses were submerged after a flood wrecked havoc in Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.

This was confirmed in a statement by the South West Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Yakubu Suleiman.

Areas heavily affected by the rain include Olodo, Oki, Akobo, Onipepeye, Kute, Eleyele and Ariyo.

Suleiman also revealed that property worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the flood that got the attention of the state government.

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.

It was also reported that during the heavy downpour, many houses including a Celestial Church of Christ, Orogun, along UI-Ojoo Road were submerged and property destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Oyo state government has promised to support affected residents and repair roads, culverts and drainages affected by the flood.

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The State Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo made this known during an inspection of the flooded areas with the officials of National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, and the State Emergency Management Authority, SEMA.

He said: ”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,” the deputy governor said.

On his part, 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.