Flood ravages Ikire community, displace many in Osun State

Some areas of Ikire town, the administrative center of the Irewole local government area of Osun State, have become inundated after several hours of heavy rain on Saturday morning.
The water that followed the intense downpour also wrecked properties worth millions of Naira.
The rain started early on Saturday morning around 8am and continued till the afternoon, according to residents who spoke with News Men.
Oja-Ale, Atoto, Fulani, Mateba, UNIOSUN Road, the Campus area, and the well-known Naira and Kobo intersection along the Ife-Ibadan expressway were among the areas of the town that were impacted.
Onigbinde Michael, a student at Osun State University, UNIOSUN, told Daily Post over the phone on Saturday that businesses, homes, farms, and animals were all severely damaged, though he was unable to estimate the extent of the damage.
“More than 100 residents have been affected. In the affected areas of Ikire, you will observe residents scooping water out of their houses and shops.
“Some of them are even trapped in their building with no help in sight. Some even came out and saved some trapped victims from drowning.
“The case is pathetic.”
Reacting to the flood incident in Ikire on Saturday, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke directed the Commissioner for Environment to fast-track flood prevention measures.
In a statement signed by his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Saturday, Adeleke expressed sympathy over the flood disaster.
The governor revealed that the flood wreaked havoc on the western part of the state and assured the people that his administration will address the root cause of the flood, forestall future occurrences and fast-track the state’s flood prevention plan.
“It is touching to learn about the monumental damages that flood has wrecked on homes and livelihoods in Ikire. The scale of the losses suffered by our people as a result of the flood disaster is too heavy especially at a time of economic strain as now,” the Governor said in the statement.
“I want to, on behalf of the State Government, convey heartfelt sympathy to everyone affected in one way or the other. As a government, we stand with the people of Ikire in this difficult moment and assure them of our commitment to support them overcome the challenges posed by the incident.
“My administration has activated emergency measures to rescue people and livelihoods hugely impacted by the flooding. I assure victims of the incident that the government will do all in its capacity to support them.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin has revealed that he has directed personnel of the Ministry to quickly find a temporary solution to combat the flood.
In a statement obtained by Platinum Times Nigeria, Adejoorin said ”in the meantime, I have directed the Permanent Secretary and Director of Flood control to mobilize some personnel to the spot for urgent attention. I want to assure the people of Ikire of our maximum support in combating the flooding.”