Road construction won’t lead to flooding —Fayose

Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has assured the people of Ikere-Ekiti that the ongoing dualisation of  Ado-Ikere Road in the town will not be allowed lead to flooding of their homes.

He gave the assurance at the weekend in Ikere-Ekiti while on inspection visit to the project site.

A statement in Ado-Ekiti, on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, said the visit of the governor was also to ascertain the complaints by some people that the project could lead to the flooding of their homes.

Fayose, who was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner for Works, Mrs Funmilayo Oguns and other state officials, said some houses were built without consideration for the mandatory setback and  waterways.

The governor, who took time to listen to observations and complaints by residents, said a team from the ministry would visit the area later in the week and see what could be done to some houses built close to the river and which are already sinking.

He explained to the people that the contractors handling the project and state officials would ensure that work is done in a way that would not bring hardship to residents.

“I came to assess the situation after I got the report that some residents are complaining that a recent downpour led to the flooding of their houses and blamed it on the ongoing road work. It is obvious that some houses were built close to the nearby stream. Many of the houses were built decades ago when the area was not as developed as this.

“I want to assure the people that the work is being done with their welfare as top priority. The contractors have also been directed to take further cognisance of how to allow free flow of water without houses and residents being in jeopardy. From what I have seen so far, everything is on course,” he said.

The Commissioner for Works said the project would be delivered on time and according to specification.

She commended Governor Fayose for making the welfare of the people and the development of the state a mandate that must be fulfilled in spite of all odds.