No residents were lost in the flood, says Ekiti gov

On Wednesday, Biodun Oyebanji, governor of Ekiti State, said no one was killed in the Tuesday evening flood in Ado Ekiti.

Overnight rains on Tuesday flooded the Ureje Bridge area, Polytechnic Road, Eminrin Estate, Ilupeju Avenue, Elemi, Ita Eku, Basiri, and others in the capital city.

Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, along with other government officials, visited the Ureje Bridge area to assess the level of destruction caused by the incident.

He regretted the flood’s damage and said his government would develop life-saving mechanisms to reduce property damage in flood-stricken areas.

Some people were swept away in a viral video, and rumors spread that some drowned in the flood water.

Our people should discount the rumor that five people died, said the governor. Nothing happened. Divers reportedly saved victims. No need to panic, our people.

Early this year, this government aggressively dredged Ureje and Elemi rivers to prevent flooding. We redirected many Ado Ekiti drainages. Without proactive measures, the wreckage could have been worse.

“We sympathize with flood victims. No government will abandon them. We will quickly resolve your issues. Because Governor Biodun Oyebanji prioritizes public welfare, we will help you.

Oyebanji warned Ekiti residents against recklessly dumping refuse and sewages in canals and building on waterways, which compounded flooding.

One of the divers who rescued victims at Ureje Bridge, Chief Kolawole Falajiki, explained that water washed them away.

No one died, Falajiki said. We saved everyone caught in the flooding web. More than 800 commuters were trapped at Ureje bank. My story that nobody died is verified by them.”

Mr. Tayo Olawuyi, Rasheed Akanbi, and Alhaji Shine Salami, who spoke for other residents, urged the government to blast the huge rocks in Ureje River to allow water to flow.

Another option is to channel water downslope with concrete, said Olawuyi. The challenge’s permanent solutions”.

Residents praised the state government for dredging the river earlier this year, saying the chaos could have been worse.