The residents of Omini-Anibaba community in Ikorodu local government area have once again called on the state and local government to come to their rescue by reconstructing the uncompleted canal in their area to allow for free-flow of flood water.
Speaking with Oriwu Sun reporters recently in Ikorodu about their plight, which was earlier published in one of Oriwu Sun’s edition of 2016, the residents and the CDA officials lamented the non-challant attitudes of both the state and Ikorodu Local Government regarding their situation despite several save-our-souls message (S.O.S) sent to this effect.
In an interview with the Chairman of Omini-Anibaba CDA, Mr. Ibrahim S.A, he decried the negligence of the area by both the state and the local government. He commented on the sorry state of the community during rainy season and the unquantifiable losses the people of the community suffer.
According to him, the community has been trying to proffer solutions to this menace but to no avail. He said that the people spent three hundred and fifty thousand naira (N350,000) in 2015 and another eight hundred thousand naira (N800,000) in 2016 but that has not brought any significant changes.
Mr. Ibrahim stated that the residents now live in fear of the unknown coupled with the fact that commercial activities in the community have been paralysed as people can’t display their goods because of the fear of flooding.
He said that all the letters written to the government and other well-meaning citizens of Ikorodu in the House of Assembly, including Hon. S.O.B. Agunbiade and Hon. Jimi Benson, have not been responded to. He appealed to the government to come to their rescue quickly to avoid further loss of property and lives.
The Treasurer of the CDA, Mr. Idowu Olaseni, in his view, said that the community has been experiencing difficulties and hardships as a result of the uncompleted canal project, which led to the death of one Mrs. Rukayat Fadahunsi and the incapacitation of one Mrs. Emily Onanuga, who was flown out of the country for treatment.
According to him, since the grading of the canal, which was a virgin land in 2012, the government has failed to show up. He also appealed to the government to complete the abandoned project since this would boost the trust and confidence of the people in Governor Ambode’s administration.
A teacher in the CDA, Mr. Moses Adamuru, said that the problem in the area has drastically affected the population of his school and its growth. He said that they have lost various educational material during flooding, including text books and note books. The teacher pleaded with the government to come and complete the canal project.
Other residents, who were complaining about the menace posed by the canal, include a mechanic who said his business used to suffer during rainy season due to the uncompleted canal.
Superior Evangelist, Emmanuel Ogungbele said that he has personally paid Malams to clear the canal, which normally affect his church. Another resident, Mr. Adedoyin Ibrahim Adekunle, called for quick government intervention to bring solace to the people.
This is what he said, “The uncompleted canal, which has turned our area to a flood area, led to the death of my grandmother in 2012”. He said that the project is too big for the community to handle.