Heavy rainfall wreaked havoc on the Ita-Ogbolu Community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, destroying electricity poles, rooftops, among other properties. HAKEEM GBADAMOSI writes about the lamentation of the residents of the community.
A fierce rainstorm which ravaged the Ita-Ogbolu, in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday last week, left many residents of the agrarian community homeless with no fewer than 200 houses affected, while property worth several millions of naira were destroyed by the torrential downpour which lasted for just about 30 minutes.
The residents, however, have started counting their losses as a result of the havoc caused by the heavy rain which was accompanied by violent windstorms. The rain destroyed houses, schools, mosques and churches, uprooting trees and scores of electric poles thereby throwing the community into perpetual darkness.
A visit to the community by the Nigerian Tribune, confirmed some of the victims salvaging their property while some had commenced repairs of affected buildings.
A 78-year-old resident, Mr Eyitayo Adebayo, while narrating his experience during the storm, explained that a strong wind that accompanied the rain lasted for about 30 minutes. He said, “Before we knew it, our roof was completely removed. This has rendered us homeless.”
He explained further saying, “I had retired to my room from the farm and was waiting for my dinner, when the rain started suddenly. I heard a loud sound in the compound. That was when I realised that the wind had blown off the roof and dumped it on the road. I called my wife to leave the house because she was in the bathroom.
“The roof was carried by the wind about 100 metres away from my house. I called my children to inform them about the unfortunate incident because there is little that I can do these days.”
Another resident of the area, Bamidele Olayinka, said the rain caused a lot of damage in his compound. In her own account, the windstorm started some 15 minutes after the rainfall started.
“While it lasted, it removed the roof of my apartment and we had to move our things out of the house.
“My husband had travelled and was depressed to meet the house in this state when he returned the following morning. We are only looking towards government for any assistance because the governor and some state officials visited us last Saturday,” she said.
Speaking on his experience, a community leader, Adekunle Alabi, who is also one of the victims, lamented that more than 50 buildings were affected by the rainstorm in his area alone. He said he was hopeless about how to get the roof of his house fixed considering the economic hardship in the land.
He said: “Many houses, including schools and churches, have been blown off. We appeal to the government and public-spirited individuals to come to our aid. This kind of disaster is happening for the first time in this community.”
He pleaded with the state government and the authorities of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to attend and hasten action on the repair of some damaged electric poles to restore power to the community.
Also speaking, another victim of the rainstorm, Mr Adelodun Adewale, said that it was by divine intervention that his family escaped by the whisker the impact of the falling roofing sheets and planks.
“We were having our dinner when the rain started. But some 15 minutes after, the storm started and before we could stand up to see what was happening, the roof of the building had already been blown off.
“But we appreciate God that we escaped unhurt. Our appeal is to ask for assistance from all tiers of government, spirited groups and wealthy individuals in order alleviate our suffering,’’ he said.
One of the victims of the rainstorm, Mr Ayodele Abinusawa of Oke Esa Street in the community, lamented that the rainstorm blew off the roof of his family house, rendering the household homeless and destroying valuable property.
Similarly, an octogenarian and widow, Madam Bukola Adeleye, said she had been forced to relocate to her father’s house pending when her children could repair the house.
“I have a place to lay my head for now. But it is not convenient at all. l was married for almost 60 years. Since I left for my husband’s house, I have not come back to sleep a night here in my father’s house, until now,” she said.
Speaking on the destruction the town has witnessed, the traditional ruler, the Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, Oba Idowu Faborede, lamented the death of one of the residents. He described the experience as terrible for the residents.
The oba said, “It was a terrible storm that affected a lot of houses here. It affected over 200 houses, electric poles, and other valuables running to several millions of naira.”
The traditional ruler lamented that the economic hardship had been affecting the commercial activities of the people of the area before the unfortunate incident that destroyed shops and goods, saying “the rainstorm has run many people aground. We are only begging the government to assist us at this crucial period.”
However, in response to the devastating event, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa last Saturday visited the people of the community with some government officials. He said the state government received the news of the destruction with sadness.
He noted that the destruction was a clear case of a natural disaster, but assured that government would not turn its back to the victims. He disclosed that the states officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had visited the area to ascertain the level of the destruction, caused by the rainstorm in order to ameliorate the plights of the victims.
The governor assured that the state government will provide immediate response in order to cushion the effects of the incident. He, however, stressed the need for the residents of the state to be vigilant and conscious of the fact that the rainy season has just begun and attention should be geared towards adequate protection of lives and property.
He encouraged the people of the community to cultivate the habit of planting trees around their residential buildings so that it would serve as a windbreaker, while appealing to the residents to desist from dumping refuse and other items that can hinder easy flow of water.
The governor, who inspected the damages, sympathised with the victims and promised that the government will come to their aid in no distant period.
The governor was accompanied by his deputy, Chief Olayide Adelami and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji. They paid a visit to the residence of the woman who died as a result of the storm, and described the occurrence as highly devastating.
Speaking at the palace of Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, Aiyedatiwa expressed sadness over the loss of life and the huge number of affected properties. He however, said SEMA had been on the ground to compile and assess the affected houses and would ensure succour gets to the victims on time.
He said “I want to sympathise with Kabiyesi and the people of Ita-Ogbolu on this unfortunate disaster. We thank God that it was not more than that. May God give the family of the one who lost her life the fortitude to bear the loss.
“The government has arrangements for such a disaster and I can assure you that we will do the needful when we see the detailed reports.”
The Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, Oba Idowu Faborode, while appreciating the governor for the concern and show of love, urged the state government to assist those affected by the rainstorm soon.
The Oba said the town had contacted relevant state and federal authorities to come to the aid of the community. He also appealed to the indigenes of Itaogbolu in the diaspora to come and help their people.
He said “My concern now is how to take care of my people who have become homeless by this natural disaster. I want to appreciate the governor for his quick intervention and concern. We appreciate you and hope to receive your positive response soon.”
The lawmaker representing the area at the House of Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Ologede, while speaking during the on-the-spot assessment described the occurrence as highly devastating
He said, “I sympathise with you over the destruction caused by rainstorm to many residential buildings and electricity poles in this town which we believe has affected the wellbeing of the people.
“I want to plead for calm as this is a natural disaster that is difficult to control. But with personal precautions and right efforts, its effects can be minimised.
“Tree planting is very essential and I want to appeal to all landlords here to inculcate the habit of tree planting to serve as wind breakers against storm.
“Let me also assure you that the state government won’t abandon you and allow you to regret in this current devastating condition. We shall give all the necessary support to mitigate whatever effect this situation must have caused to your lives.”
Also, a former Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Mr Dele Ologun, commended the governor for his prompt response by attending to the people of the residents and assured the residents of assistance from the state government.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Tribune noticed that artisans and masons in the community and building materials merchants have hiked the price of the materials. The price of roofing materials has been jerked up by the merchants while masons and carpenters charge exorbitant amount for the re-building and renovation of the destroyed by the rainstorm.
Most of the people renovating their building after the storm said they had been paying through their noses.
According to one of the victims, the price of cement has increased and the workers charge double for workmanship. They called on the state government to quickly come to their aid so that they can rebuild their homes and return to normal life.
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