CITIZENS COMPASS – Commuters and motorists plying Ife/Ibadan road in Osun State, were stranded on weekend after the road was overtaken by flood. 

The flooding was due to the downpour which lasted for hours and overtook the Naira and Kobo Junction in Ikire. 

Besides stopping vehicular and human traffic for some hours, the flood also damaged business premises located along the expressway.

It was further learnt that many commuters passing through Ikire when the flood was at its peak, had to abandon their vehicles to avoid being swept away and waited for some hours for the water to recede before they proceeded on their journey.

A roadside trader at Naira and Kobo Junction, Ikire, simply identified as Tomisin, during an interview with our correspondent, said apart from the Ife/Ibadan road that was flooded, some inner roads in Ikire also experienced flooding.

Tomisin, who blamed the blockage of water channels and drainages in the area for the incident, called on the government to immediately act to prevent reoccurrence.

She said, “From Naira and Kobo Junction in Ikire down the road coming from Ibadan, many business places were flooded. Many filing stations and other business premises were flooded. Many vehicles travelling early on Saturday had to park and wait for the water to recede. Many things were destroyed but no life was lost.”

Commenting, Osun State Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kehinde Adeleke, in a statement said, “Ikire and its environs witnessed a heavy and continuous rainfall in the early hour 22nd July, which lasted for good four hours.

Ife/Ibadan expressway was blocked and minor roads within the Ikire town were also affected. Motorists were affected because the flood blocked some roads, but no record of casualty as at now.”

Reacting to the incident, Osun State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mr. Mayowa Adejoorin, told residents not to panic over the flash flood, as personnel of the ministry had been directed to find a temporary solution to the situation. 

Adejoorin in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Saturday further said, “We are making arrangements to find a temporary solution to be followed immediately by a permanent solution.

“Meanwhile, in the meantime, I have directed the Permanent Secretary and Director of Flood Control to mobilise some personnel to the spot for urgent attention. I want to assure the people of ikire of our maximum support in combating the flooding.