Ondo: Flood sacks communities, residents seek help

Residents of the Igbobini and Ilu Agbo communities in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State have called on the state government to come to their aid as flood wreaked havoc in the communities.

It was gathered that the flood occurred following three days of downpour in the two communities, rendering the residents homeless.

A source said as a result of the incident, many of the residents of the affected communities were currently taking refuge at a primary school in one of the communities.

The source noted, “There are many residents of the two communities whose houses have been ravaged by the flood. Many of them are now taking refuge at the RCM Primary School Ilu Agbo. It is a serious matter.”

The Chairman, Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Mrs Sipasi Aluko, who was on assessment visit of the two communities appealed to both the state and federal governments to urgently come to the aid of the residents of the communities.

Aluko stated, “We want to enjoin all the concerned authorities and well-meaning Nigerians both within and away to render assistance in order to ameliorate the suffering of the affected residents.”

The council boss also expressed assurance that the local government would intervene in their plight.

Similarly, it was also gathered that the bridge linking Ese-Odo-Irele on land with Araromi, Ayeka and Okitipupa communities in Okitipupa Local Government, had been submerged by the flood.

The source said, “The concrete cemented embankment that was constructed during Dr Olusegun Agagu administration remains the only route on land that links Ese-Odo and Irele with Okitipupa Local Governments.

“As a result of this, many travellers that could not go through the long distance of Ode-Irele -Olowo road are stranded as some risk the use of canoes to cross over.”

A resident, Chief Olafusi Olaluwoye, appealed to the state government to revisit the embankment contract and extend the construction of Araromi Ayeka Bridge to the terminal end at Ode Irele.

“This will ease the movement of the people living in the area. We want the government to act fast on this bridge,” the community leader appealed.