Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti State, has refuted reports that five persons perished in a flood that struck parts of the capital city of Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.
After more than five hours of nonstop rain, many areas were devastated by flooding, including the Ureje Bridge along Polytechnic Road, Eminrin Estate, Ilupeju Avenue, Elemi, Ita Eku, and Basiri, among others.
The Governor disputed the reports of a death on Wednesday when visiting the devastated districts to gauge the extent of the incident’s devastation, represented by his deputy, Monisade Afuye, and other senior government officials.
She expressed regret for the extent of the damage caused by the flood and promised that the government will develop life-saving plans to lessen property damage in flooded areas.
She emphasized that no one died in any of the flood-stricken places she visited.
“Our people should discountenance that 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 channelised many drainages in Ado Ekiti. If not for that 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 like 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.
Also corroborating the Governor’s position, the diver, who rescued the five victims at Ureje Bridge, Chief Kolawole Falajiki, who was one of those that received the entourage, clarified that the victims were saved while being washed away by water, contrary to the rumour being peddled on social media.
“Nobody died, we ensured we saved all those that were caught in the web of flooding. Commuters numbering over 800 were trapped here at Ureje bank. They were witnesses to my story that nobody died”.
Falajiki alongside spokesmen of Ureje and Eminrin estate, Mr Tayo Olawuyi, Rasheed Akanbi and Alhaji Shine Salami, applauded 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.
“The only way we can overcome this flooding permanently is for the government to blast the rock that is raising the water level inside Ureje River. That was why the water was overflowing the high bridge that connects Ado Ekiti to Afe Babalola University.
“Another way is that they should use concrete to channel the water downslope. These are the permanent solutions to the challenge”.