Osun State Government faults FG over Ile-Ife flood disaster.

Alfred Olufemi.

The Osun State Commissioner for Information, Adelani Baderinwa has blamed the Federal government over the flood disaster at Ile-Ife and Modakeke communities on Monday. 

Properties were destroyed and many rendered homeless as a heavy downpour, which lasted for several hours on Sunday, flooded homes and streets in Mayfair, Lagere, Ibadan road and Asherifa areas of the city. OAU KILONSHELE earlier reported.

Among those affected are the students of various Higher institutions in Ile-Ife; Obafemi Awolowo University, The polytechnic Ile-Ife and Oduduwa University Ipetumodu.

Speaking with OAU KILONSHELE, Mr. Baderinwa highlighted that the affected roads are Federal government responsibilities and not the state's.

" Its The federal road and the facilities by which water could pass are too inadequate and that's the cause of the flood."

Stating the roles of the state after the natural disaster ravaged residents, He added that the 

Osun State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA) officers have been deployed to the affected parts.

"we have dredged the river belt as usual and that's the only reason why we've not had flood cases in recent times. But this one is peculiar because it's around where we have a federal highway."

Mr Baderinwa noted that the only lasting solution to stop subsequent flooding in the areas is by the intervention of the Federal government to repair bridges and construct more.

"We can only manage the situation but a lasting solution is until the federal government will be contacted to come and do the places affected because the only solution is to have the reconstruction of those bridges and more bridges." He told the journalist.

Meanwhile, residents who spoke with OAU KILONSHELE testified to intervention of some government officials, though unsure of the agencies they represent.

Farombi Oluwaseun, a resident along Ede road, explained that a Fire service vehicle was spotted draining the flooded parts of the roads.

"We saw the Fire service vehicle along Mayfair draining the water." Farombi said.

Another resident of Ibadan Road area, Akeem Ishola, explained that the disaster almost claimed his life.

   "The erosion that nearly caused my life is because almost all the motorable roads here in do no have drainage that even a small rain people will be having difficulty in getting to their various place of resident." He said

Recounting their losses, some students interviewed by the journalist lamented.

A student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Adebisi Elizabeth, told OAU KILONSHELE about her homeless state.

   "Look at me now, I don't have anywhere to stay and all my belongings as student have been flooded away because when the erosion started, I had to run for my dear life." She lamented

However, the Chairman of the Nigerian University and administrative and technical staff Union.(NUATSU), Obafemi Awolowo University branch, Comrade Wole Odewumi, charged the monarchs of the two communities affected to provide measures to prevent future occurrences.

"The Ooni of Ile-Ife and the Oba of Modakeke should look for a way to solve this problem and prevent it  from reoccurring."

He also warned the management of OAU, whose students were affected the most, to have a meeting with the landlords of the houses to reach a consensus on the accommodation services rendered as most houses were built beside waterlogged areas and without a drainage system.

"You will get to some of these houses, where students stay and discover that those houses are not fit for animals not to talk of humans." He said

Mr. Odewumi then assured that the number of students to be admitted subsequently will be reduced compared to the number admitted in previous years. He related the high number of students to the reason behind accommodation issues and exploitation by landlords.