The Federal Government has promised to come to the assistance of Ogun State, over last Friday flooding that ravaged some parts of Abeokuta, resulting to loss of lives and property.
Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, stated this on Wednesday, during his inspection visit to areas affected by the flood in the company of the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
Osinbajo said natural disaster such as flood is unavoidable when there are heavy rains, saying the situation would have been worse if the state government had not constructed drainages and put some infrastructure in place.
He explained that the FG through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) would provide immediate succour and assistance to those affected.
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Osinbajo urged residents of the State to desist from the habit of building on waterways and indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage and canals.
He also advised those living in the valley areas to run for their dear lives when raining and move to higher plains.
The VP said: “Let me say what has happened here is very, very unfortunate indeed. A lot of the drainages have been done, but the level of the rain had been so heavy that it has overtaken the infrastructure in place. So what we are looking at is how this can be enhanced and we are also discussing with His Excellency on how to do this.
“We have to really sit down and look at those challenges properly. We are providing immediate relief materials to support the state government. We learnt that NEMA was here to provide that immediate succour. On a permanent basis, we are planning on how to sit with the state government on how to provide succour.
“This is unavoidable. Flash flooding where you have rain for hours, especially rains in the tropics, the type of the area that we are, it is difficult to avoid flash flooding.
“We are fortunate that it did not take place at night, because if it did, and there is a sudden surge of water, it will naturally cause a lot of disasters.
“One of the things that we have to do as a people is that we have to change our habit of blocking drainages. In spite of channelisation, where you have this kind of heavy rain falling within short hours, it is will be like this.
“What we might do when the rain is heavy, is that those who live in the valley will have to move quickly to higher ground. This is because there is nothing we can do about a valley, a valley is a valley. On the whole, the loss of lives is very unfortunate.
” The FG commiserate with the families of the victims and the state government. And I want to also say that God has been gracious to us because it would have been worse, but for the drainages and the infrastructure in place, which has helped to move the waters.
“As you can see, it has been dissipated despite the huge surge of the flood. So, I think we should be thankful to God and the state government for providing this kind of infrastructure and the quick response to minimize the loss.”
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