Residents of Isheri Estate Community at the OPIC end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have demanded a permanent solution to the flood crisis affecting their areas.
The residents and property owners also faulted the government’s directives for them to relocate to higher grounds.
PUNCH Metro reports that the residents were thrown into panic barely a week ago following a flood scare due to the release of water from the Oyan River Dam by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority.
A gradual increase in the Ogun River’s current later led to an overflow, spreading across areas some metres away from the river bank.
The impact which resulted in heavy flooding across various estates within the communities has also led to a significant increase in the relocation of residents.
Speaking to our correspondent on Monday, some of the residents cited economic hardship as reasons why they could not relocate from the communities.
A resident, Kunle Adio, said, “Some people have been relocating to hotels, but I can’t because I don’t have the resources. I was still trying to find my balance economically before this flood started. I have no choice but to stay here with my family and endure it while it lasts.”
Another resident, Eniola Akintunde, said old age had prevented some residents from relocating.
She said, “Some people have lived here for many years. Some have even spent about 40 years. We also have retirees who are staying in some of these areas and they stay in the houses they built. How do you want them to leave and where do they want to go? Some of them are stranded already.”
During a visit to the communities on Monday, our correspondent gathered that some residences were almost inaccessible due to the floodwater.
At Gavel and Riverbank estates, residents could be seen walking through the water while holding their footwear.
This was also a similar sight at Riverview Estates as some vehicles were seen driving slowly in the flood which had taken over the roads in the estate.
Add Comment