… Buildings, Schools Collapsed

..Abiodun Promises  Quick Solution

Olatunbosun Tunji

Scores of Ogun residents are groaning as the climate change is  bitting hard  in many parts of the state .

There are tales of woes in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital ; Sango-Ota ;  Sagamu and Ilaro in the Yewa-South local government area of Ogun State. 

Few weeks ago, a 14-year-old secondary school student was swept away while two others were injured, in Sagamu.

A week after, a lecturer was almost swept away in Abeokuta, but, lost his  car to the flooding .

Last week, scores of students of the Federal Polytechnic,Ilaro, Yewa-South local government area, escaped death, but, lost their personal belongings which  were swept away.

For the past three weeks now, flooding has taken over a major road ;  Abeokuta-Lagos Road, around brewery -Olomore section, leaving motorists and commuters stranded .

Residents of Soyoye and Rounder  areas were experiencing  hell  while plying the Soyoye-Rounder  Road due to its deplorable condition.

The list of bad roads and tale of woes is endless and no thanks to flooding .

NIMET had warned that Nigeria would experience serious flooding as a result of torrential rains.

Almost all the 36 states of the country were experiencing hardship over the effects of the  climate change .

PLATFORM TIMES reports that lives have been lost to the flooding in both Ogun and Lagos  states among others in the country .

Properties worth millions of naira have been lost to flooding as the ravaging flood swept them away.

Three persons were said to have lost their lives in Japo-Oke-Odo community in Adigbe, Obafemi-Owode local government area of the state.

Many roads in the state have been destroyed by the flooding. Many travellers and motorists were groaning.

Also, some residents of the state in the areas such as  Soyoye, Elega, Mokola Obada-Oko, Sango-Ota among others were experiencing hardship while plying the roads.

Many cab drivers have declared  some areas as no-go-areas as a result of the deplorable state of the roads .

Many residents who spoke with PLATFORM TIMES complained that life has become unbearable to them  due to the bad roads.

Faizal Lawal, a resident of Soyoye in Abeokuta-North local government area of the state, said the people in her areas are facing challenges .

She said  “while we are still battling with the rise in the transport fares, the issue of bad roads has joined it and has made the can drivers inflating the cost .

“Most taxi drivers don’t even go to Soyoye again because there is no way to pass and we say we have a governor.”

At Obada -Oko, a bridge has been cut off by the flood, making the road impassable for the motorists .

A community leader in the area lamented that residents are experiencing agony plying the dilapidated bridge .

… Scores  Escaped Death At Sagamu-Ikorodu Road

Motorists and commuters expressed sadness to  the government for allegedly subjecting them to untold hardship.

According to some of the affected travelers, lives have become unbearable for them anytime they ply the road .

PLATFORM TIMES can report that tens of motorists and commuters were stranded following the deplorable condition of the road .

A motorist while expressing his sadness over their experiences, said “imagine, this is Sagamu-Ikorodu Road, see what people are going through.”

PLATFORM TIMES reports that a bus loaded with passengers fell  on its side and was submerged in the flood .

The trapped passengers were seen being rescued from the fallen bus already enmeshed in the flood .

Scores of vehicles were on standstill for hours as a result of the bad portions of the road .

The State Government was reported to have later sent  a caterpillar to the place and began grading the road .

Community Hails Abiodun For  Palliative

Speaking on behalf of the Ogijo community, Alhaji Salami Babatunde, said the road belongs to Federal Government .

Babatunde said “We will further appreciate if the Federal Government can quickly return back to the site for completion as soon as the rain subsides.

“Our Governor as usual demonstrated sincerity of purpose, responsibility and responsiveness at meeting the yearnings and aspirations of his people in Ogun State and Ogijo in particular.

“Our joy knows no bounds and we collectively become happier for bringing succor and relieve to our plight on this failed section of the road.”

Recalled that Abiodun had in 2019, sought permission of the Federal Government to dualise the four major federal roads linking the state and Lagos state .

PLATFORM TIMES reports that the four roads ; Lagos-Sango Ota-Abeokuta, Sagamu-Ikorodu, Atan-Lusada-Agbara and Ijebu-Ode-Mojoda-Epe are under the Public Private  partnership arrangement.

A statement issued read “We’ve not gotten approval to touch Sagamu-Ikorodu and Lagos-Sango Ota-Abeokuta roads till date.‬

“To ameliorate the suffering of road users plying this route, the governor has ordered that immediate palliative should be carried out.

“To this effect, we’ve commenced palliative roadworks on the failed section of Sagamu-Ikorodu road which is a known federal government road.”

… Students, Residents Count Loses As Ilaro Flooded

Students of the Federal Polytechnic,Ilaro, Yewa-North and residents of the area  lost their properties to flooding.

Scores of people were stranded following the flooding that took over some roads including the one in the front of the polytechnic.

PLATFORM TIMES reports that some personal belongings of the students were swept away by the flood .

The flooding occured two to three times within a week and has wrecked a serious havoc in the area

Some students were seen stranded in front of the school after the flood  had  taken over the whole part of the road .

One of the victims, was head saying, “help us in Ilaro, see how the front side of the polytechnic has been messed up.

“Everywhere is flooded. See students in the flooding.”

Findings have shown that some students lost their valuable goods and properties when a flooding ravaged their off campus apartments.

Deputy Registrar, Public Relations of the polytechnic, Sola Abiala confirmed  this in a statement .

Abiala said students who live off-campus in areas such as Gbogidi, School 2, and Ikosi areas were affected after two days   downpour.

The statement read that the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Mukail Akinde has however, warned staff and students of the Institution living off-campus to stay away from flood prone areas of the town.

The Rector gave the warning while conducting on-the-spot assessment of flood ravaged areas of the ancient town largely inhabited by students.

The statement read “while commiserating with those who lost valuable goods and properties to the unfortunate incident, the Rector charged the students to henceforth stop renting houses in areas prone to flooding such as Riverside.

“He ordered that those who are presently in such areas should relocate to safer places.

“The Rector stated that the advice became imperative in view of the impending heavy rainfall in the coming months as predicted by relevant government agencies such as Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMet)and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).”

The Rector was also reported to have given personal donation to the affected students to take care of some of their immediate needs.

He enjoined relevant government agencies in charge of disaster relief, at both Federal and State levels to come to the rescue of the affected students and staff of the institution.

He also solicited similar gesture from other public spirited groups and individuals within and outside the town to provide the much needed succour for the victims of last Friday flood in Ilaro.

The Rector who lauded the past attempts of the state government at opening up streams and gorge channels in the town, called for the reactivation of such projects and reconstruction of the badly damaged roads and bridges in the erosion and flood prone areas of the town.

…. Again,Travelers Cry, Stranded As Joju-Sango Road Submerged By Flooding 

The  Joju-Sango-Ota was an eyesore as a result of the flooding that  submerged the road .

Scores of travellers were seen ‘swimming’ in the flooding, while many vehicles developed fault after they were  submerged in the flood .

The affected people were heard shouting the name of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, asking him to come to their aid.

“This is Joju-Sango-Ota ,Ogun State . See water . Governor Dapo Abiodun, come to our aid . This is Joju ,there is no road at all. This is just one rain, see what we are facing.”

A resident of Alubarka Oke-Ayo Community Development Area, off-Bode Olude, Alh. Badmos Jamiu, narrated ” my area isn’t only flooded, but all the roads have collapsed.

He said “from Brown to Aduagbemi to Alubarka and down to Ajegunle. All in Bode Olude, Elega axis.

“Our one and only hailing health centre located at Baaleshin Community that supposed to serve at least 30 communities, has collapsed completely.”

Meanwhile Ogun State government has assured the people of it’s plan to rehabilitate  some bad roads.

The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya said this in a statement he issued .

Akinsanya, according to the statement, said this while inspecting the level of damage caused by erosion on some roads across the state.

He added that the government was set to embark on palliative measures to make some roads, damaged by the ongoing rainy season motorable.

According to the statement, the government is aware of the challenges confronting the people, particularly road users.

“The rainy season is here and we are aware of the attendant challenges it has on our roads.

“However the government is monitoring the situation and is already putting adequate palliative measures in place to arrest the menace.

“Some of the roads identified include; Mowe – Ofada in Obafemi Local Government, the second lane of Adatan – More junction in Abeokuta South Local Government and Akute – Alagbole in Ifo Local Government Area, among others.”

Akinsanya further said that the identified roads, along with others will receive adequate attention immediately after the rain subsides.

Akinsanya said that the reconstruction of sections of Ijoko-Akute road is ongoing and this is being done in phases.

He reassured residents of the state that their well-being and welfare remain the utmost priority of the state government.

He added that Governor Abiodun is resolute and committed to improving not only the economic viability of the state but make life more bearable for the citizenry.

…How Ogun School Building Collapsed

A one-storey block of classrooms has collapsed at the Agbado District Comprehensive High School, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The building collapsed Saturday afternoon during a heavy rainfall, leaving the community in shock.

Eyewitnesses described the incident as “a calamity waiting to happen,” saying it was as a result of government’s failure to respond to distress calls on the dilapidated building.

It was gathered that the collapsed building had been a cause for concern for over 15 years, posing a serious threat to the lives of students and staff.

Kolawole Adelani, a welder and resident of Oke Aro, recounted that, “The school building collapsed on Saturday, I witnessed it. It happened when it was raining. The building had been there for more than 15 years, plagued with structural issues. We all knew it would give way one day, but the authorities did nothing about it. Thank God no lives were lost. This would have been a disaster if it had happened during week days.”