Residents count losses as flood wreaks havoc in Ogun estate

Property owners and residents of Area 8, OPIC Estate, Agbara, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State are currently counting the losses they suffered due to flooding.

People of the area said the unending rainfall of the past few days have exposed them to flooding.

According to them, some properties have been submerged by water, leaving many with no other option than to relocate to a safe place.

In a letter to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the victims described their situation as an ‘impending disaster’.

The letter, which was co-signed by the Estate Chairman, Adebowale Odunayo, and the Assistant Secretary, Iziokhai Ohioze, called the attention of government to “the ravaging effect of incessant flooding that our community has been experiencing over time.”

According to them, the incident has been “formally reported to OPIC Management on several occasions but each visit ended with promises, which remain unfulfilled, leaving residents to the vagaries of nature.”

They alerted that, over the past few years, the frequency and intensity of flooding in Area 8, have increased substantially.

The non-existence of drainage systems, they stated, worsened the situation during downpours, “resulting in water entering our homes and causing damage to the foundations, walls, and interiors of our buildings.”

This, according to them, “does not only lead to financial losses for us as property owners but also compromises the structural integrity of our homes, as well as results in psychological nightmare once there is an impending rain.”

While conceding that flooding is a natural occurrence, the people opined that, with a well compacted road network and proper channelization, it can be minimized.

“Your Excellency Sir, please kindly come to our rescue. Our lives and properties are being challenged negatively. Our safety and in particular that of our children, as well as the aged among us, is being put in jeopardy.

“Sir, we solicit your approval for an immediate upgrade of the entire drainage architecture of the area. We equally crave the indulgence of Your Excellency for the rehabilitation of the road within the OPIC Estate, particularly Roads 411, 800, 808, 81 which we believe if tarred, would complement the drainage system,” they pleaded.

Speaking on Sunday, a resident of the area, Adebisi Bamtale, said, “we don’t know what to do if this rain continues like this. I think all of us may have to relocate at last.