Flood threatens Oyo communities

Oyagbe community, near Sabo in Atiba Local Government area of Oyo State, may soon be consumed by flood, if urgent action is not taken by concerned authorities to check the blockage of the river channel with refuse by the residents. Investigation carried out showed that there are no provision of drainages, as gully erosion has eaten deep into most parts of the road, thus making it impassable.
This has adversely affected commercial activities to and from the community.
Besides, the community’s environment is perforated with offensive odour, as heaps of refuse and excreta are noticed everywhere.
Similarly, at another community called Igbele in the same local government, due to inadequate public toilets and refuse
dump, residents, both old and young, besiege the long river called Iyalamu, to defecate and dump refuse, as well.
The community has a population of about 20,000 residents.
Consequently, the channel is blocked, and whenever there is heavy downpour, the river overflows its channel, and caused havoc to buildings.
Investigation carried out also showed the horrifying state of the only road linking the community to other parts of Oyo metropolis, as gully erosion has eaten deep into most parts of
the road, thus making it impassable. This has adversely affected commercial activities to and from, as the community is said to be the largest producer of garri in the ancient town.
Besides, the community’s environment is perforated with
offensive odour, as heaps of refuse containing cassava peels and excreta are noticed beside the river.
To prevent perennial flood mishaps, the immediate
past chairman of the local government, now member of the House of Representatives representing Oyo federal constituency, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, constructed a new pedestrian bridge, to replace the one constructed by the people of the community in 1969, which was on the
verge of collapse.
The pedestrian bridge links the people of the community with residents from other parts of the town.
Commenting on the development, the Head of the community, Chief James Fasipe, who appreciated and acknowledged the effort of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, towards saving the souls of residents from flood
disaster, said: “In the past three years, over 200 houses were washed away while over 700 people were displaced and rendered homeless as a result of the flooding. We are indeed grateful for the re-channelisation of the river. On our part, we have been enlightening the people on the importance of environmental sanitation.”
Also in dire need of reconstruction and proper channelisation is the ancient Akesan Market in Oyo town, which has become an eyesore to customers whenever it
rains.
The magnitude of filthiness at the ancient Akesan Market
is unimaginable, as traders dump their refuse and human wastes inside the narrow gutters whenever it rains.
There are no toilet facilities for the over 5,000 traders, as flood takes over the ancient town whenever there is heavy rain.
Some of the traders appealed to the local government for provision of public toilets and refuse disposal, adding that a situation whereby refuse disposal are provided only on environmental sanitation day does not augur well.
At the local government headquarters, Ofa-Meta, along Oyo/Ogbomoso road, the caretaker chairman was not available for comment, but a top council official
confided in our correspondent that paucity of fund is
adversely affecting the council’s responsibilities.