Pupils of Ansarul Islam LGEA School (B), Okekere in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State and residents of the community were on Monday sacked following flood that took over the area.
The heavy downpour which began around 3pm in the area and lasted for about three hours on Monday was said to have invaded homes and shops thereby destroying property and goods in the community.
Some of the residents whose homes were taken over by the flood are reportedly putting up at the moment with friends and relatives.
When our reporter visited the area, yesterday, residents of Abata Sunkere and Okekere lamented their plights, calling for intervention from the state government and well-meaning individuals.
Speaking with our reporter, one of the residents, Abdullateef Lukman said, “one of the problems is that the drainage in the area is not well channelled hence the heavy flood.”
Another resident, Lanre Akeem, who is an auto mechanic, claimed the situation has denied him his source of livelihood as he could no longer attend to his customers at his flooded workshop.
Meanwhile pupils of Ansarul Islam LGEA primary school had to make do with makeshift classes after their classrooms and other parts of the school were taken over by the flood when they returned on Tuesday.
Speaking on the situation, the head teacher, Salman Abdullateef said “We met the water occupying the school compound and our teachers cannot teach under such condition.”
He however said the management committee and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Chairman of the school have been briefed on the situation.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has urged residents living at flood prone areas to vacate such vicinity to avert calamity.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Amos Shayo after an inspection tour by officials of the ministry and staff of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) to some of the affected communities by Monday’s heavy downpour.
Shayo, while addressing the media stated that the flooding has become a yearly occurrence in the state blaming some residents for building their houses in river banks.
“A similar incident happened last year and it has become an annual occurrence. That is the reason we are out on inspection to evaluate the level of damage. We have a work plan to give succour to our people and we enjoin those living in areas prone to flood to vacate such areas.
“There are some illegal dump sites that have blocked the flow of water. It is not possible to prevent the flow of water, any attempt to do so; water will enter into houses,” he stressed.
The commissioner also disclosed that the state government will collaborate with the Federal Government in securing the ecological fund to ensure that permanent solution is found to the perennial flooding in the state.
…Saraki provides relief materials, shelter for victims
The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has provided relief materials and temporary accommodation for hundreds of displaced victims of Monday’s devastating flooding in some parts of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The Senate President’s interventions which commenced immediately after the heavy downpour Monday night also included provision of food and other items.
The areas affected by the flooding included Oloje, Oko- Olowo, Eruda Alapata, Oja- Iya and Alagbado/Ayegbami areas of Ilorin.
Moved by the plight of the victims who are his constituents, Saraki, had directed his constituency office in Ilorin to take swift action in meeting the immediate needs of the flood victims.
The Director-General of the Mandate Constituency Office, Ilorin, Alh Musa Abdullahi on Tuesday led a Senate President’s delegation on assessment tour of the affected areas.
Abdullahi on behalf of Saraki sympathised with the victims and donated some relief materials to them. He asked those who could not find a place to sleep to report at the Mandate office where shelter will be provided for them.
He said the Senate president will liaise with the state government on the need for the clearing of the blocked drainages to allow for easy passage of water when it rains.
