Ondo govt moves to tackle flooding in Ijapo extension, residents hail intervention

By Precious Oluwole

Residents of Ijapo Extension, popularly known as Ojomu Otenioro Estate, Edo Lodge, off Oke-Ijebu Road, Akure, the State capital have expressed relief and gratitude to the state government following the commencement of canal excavation works aimed at addressing the perennial flooding in the community.

Addressing the newsmen, the Special Assistant on Technical to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Engr. Elisha Ebijimi noted that the project is in fulfillment of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s directive to tackle erosion and water challenges across the state.

“We have been on this line since July last year, and our mandate is to ensure that we deliver lasting solutions to the good people of Ondo State. Though this flooding problem has been here for more than 10 years, we are determined to put an end to it,” he assured.

Speaking during the exercise, a landlord in the area, Mr. Ahmed Oluwadare described the intervention as a long-awaited relief, noting that several houses had been submerged and properties destroyed due to repeated flooding.

“For years, we have been yearning for this excavator to come. Many of us wrote letters and appealed to the local government and residents’ association, but nothing happened. Some landlords even abandoned or sold their houses because of the damage”.

He urged residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the canals, while also recommending that government establish an environmental vanguard to protect waterways and penalize offenders, which, according to him, could also boost the state’s internally generated revenue.

Another resident, Alhaja Bamidele Hassan who have lived in the area for over three decades said the flooding challenge only became severe in the last five years, stressing that the ongoing government intervention would go a long way in restoring hope to the community.