After years of battling devastating floods, residents of Ijapo Extension in Akure, south-west Nigeria, say they are finally seeing hope as the state government expands drainage channels to curb flooding.
Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Erosion Control, Elisha Ebijimi, said the canal in the area was being widened from 15 to 25 metres and deepened from two to four metres. He urged residents not to sabotage the effort by dumping waste into waterways, warning that the consequences could be disastrous.
“This administration will do everything within its power to reduce the impact of flooding across the 18 local government areas,” he said.
For homeowners, the move is long overdue. “We have been suffering for more than a decade. Some landlords even abandoned or sold their homes,” said Ahmed Oluwadare, whose neighbour’s car was destroyed in the floods. He suggested setting up environmental vanguards to help protect drainage systems.
Alhaja Hassan Bamidele, another resident, said repeated flooding had affected the area for five years, while Oladipo Eliyode expressed confidence that the current works would bring lasting relief. “I believe this will give us peace whenever it rains,” he said.
