Some residents of Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, have been displaced due to flooding, with their houses submerged, following a three-day torrential rain.
A check by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Saturday revealed that the flooding resulted in significant property damage and rendered many homeless.
NAN also reports that the affected areas are Okitipupa-Erinje axis, Omawa, Kuneyin, Apata, Igbodigo and Ayeka that had no proper drainage system.
The residents who spoke with NAN in separate interviews said the flood was worrisome, as some houses were submerged with commercial activities also affected, as many people could not go out for their businesses.
They appealed to the management of Okitipupa Local Government to clear blocked drains and also commence construction of drainages where they are lacking.
Mr Ganiyu Akinfenwa, a resident of Erinje, noted that the community has been experiencing flooding for long due to lack of proper drainage systems.
“We have been appealing to government for help in this axis, to build drainage systems so that erosion can flow freely during downpour like we experienced for the last three-days,” he said.
Mr Tosin Akindolire, a resident of Apata, said many houses were submerged during the rain, as residents baled water out of their houses.
“In our own case, the drainages were blocked with nylon and plastic bottles causing the water to overflow into our houses,” he said.
Akindolire appealed to government to help clear the blocked drainages.
Mrs Catherine Ebisemiju, a resident of Omawa, added that many houses were affected by the flood and commercial activities disrupted, as people were unable to go out for business due to the torrential rain.
Another resident of Igbodigo, Chief Michael Orogbemi said the ongoing road construction affects residents during the rain.
“The ongoing construction of roads and drainage systems is affecting us, as water overflow the constructed drainages and enter our houses.
“We appeal to government to expedite the construction and keep it on schedule,” Orogbemi said.
The council chairman, Mr Andrew Ogunsakin, while confirming the incident, said the council secretary had visited the affected areas.
Ogunsakin assured residents of quick intervention by government to address flooding in Okitipupa and environs.
“We have visited the affected areas and I can only assure residents of quick intervention in order to prevent flooding across Okitipupa and environs,” Ogunsakin said. (NAN)
