Promises FG Immediate Support
By Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun showing Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo the extent of damage in Abeokuta on Wednesday….. Photo: Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday described the flood disaster that occurred in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Friday which claimed 11 people lives as “unavoidable and unfortunate”.
The Vice President who was on a spot assessment visit to some of the flood affected areas in Abeokuta said the tropical nature of the state capital was a major factor for the heavy flood despite the drainages constructed by the State Government, urging the people to desist from blocking the drainage system to avoid reoccurrence event.
He therefore assured victims of the federal government immediate support to cushion the effect of the damage.
The Vice President who touched down at the Governor’s Office Arcade ground, Oke-mosan from a chopper around 4:32pm was immediately taken on tour by the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun to the affected areas.
Some areas visited by the Vice President are; Amolasho, Isale-Igbehin, Ago-Ijesa, Itoku Market, Oke-Sokori bridge and Ijeja bridge.
Addressing journalists shortly after the inspection, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo commiserated with the families of the victims and the state government, advising the residents to always look for safety at higher ground in case of future recurrence
“This is unavoidable. Flash flooding where you have rains for hours, especially rains in the tropic in the type of the place we are, it is difficult to avoid. What has happened is unfortunate but we are fortunate it didn’t take place at night, if it did and there was a sudden surge of water, it will naturally cause a lot of disaster. One of the things we have to do as people is that we have to change our attitudes of blocking the drainages.
“A lot of drainage have been done by the state government, but the level of the rain has been so heavy that it has overtaken the infrastructure put in place. We have to really sit down and look at those challenges properly. We are providing immediate relief materials to support the state government on a permanent basis.
“What we might have to do if we have this type of heavy rains, those living in the valley would have to move quickly to a higher ground because there is nothing we can do about a valley”, Prof. Osinbajo averred.