Oyo State government, on Monday, assured residents of providing alternative routes to flooded areas affected during Sunday’s heavy rainfall in Ibadan.
As part of its quick intervention, the government also promised to provide other palliative measures to ease the movement of the affected areas.
This was contained in a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
The state’s inspection team paid an on-the-spot assessment to the collapsed bridges and roads at Olodo Garage, Ido and Akinyele in Ibadan.
The inspection team was drawn from the Ministries of Works, Environment, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP).
It also included officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
The team leader and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Modupe Adeleye, spoke on behalf of the government.
She sympathised with the victims of the flood. She said the government is aware of their plight and would take speedy actions to allay their fears.
Mrs Adeleye said: “It is really pathetic actually, it is sad what we are seeing here this morning.
“We came here as a team comprising the Ministries of Environment, Public Works, NEMA, SEMA and IUFMP, to see things for ourselves.
“There are palliatives that the government will put in place for now to allay the fears of the people.
“So, the team went round to look for alternative routes because this place (Olodo Bridge) needs to be shut down for now.
“This is to prevent loss of lives and properties because it is a very risky zone.
“The suggestion now is that we should shut down and look for alternative routes for people to do their businesses and so far.
“The best route that we found is about five kilometres. It spans from Wofun Junction through Kute to Olodo Bank.
“That will be the alternative route where the government will take a palliative measure for now,” she added.
Adeleye appealed to the residents to cooperate with the government. She said government will expedite action both on the ongoing construction works and the palliative on the alternative routes.
She added that the SEMA will soon embark on enumeration of houses wrecked by the flood.
Adeleye advised residents of the state to move away from flooded areas and stop building houses on setbacks and river banks.
She stressed that defiance to the warning poses dangers to their lives and properties.
