15th July, 2011
The Oba of Iju-Ogundimu, Oba Elijah Olanire, has cried out over the devastation suffered by his community during last Sunday’s flood that ravaged most parts of Lagos state.
According to him, two children were lost to the flood while several residents are still in the hospital.
Properties worth millions of naira were also lost to the flood.
In a letter to the state House of Assembly through a lawmaker representing Ifako-Ijaiye, Dayo Fafunmi, the monarch further raised an alarm over what he described as imminent flooding in the area.
The monarch reminded the lawmakers that he had earlier drawn the attention of the government to the threat to lives and properties as a result of the flood even before the incident finally occurred.
Explaining the cause of the flood, he said “the disastrous flood was as a result of the flow of the drainage under construction by LAMATA/LARALEK from Agege, with massive inflow from Iju-Ishaga road construction downward to Iju-Ogundimu community without any guide.
“LAMATA and LAREK, the construction company, did not take cognisance of the implication of directing the drainage flow into Iju River with the insight of a large drainage.”
He claimed that the construction firm did not care about the lives of the people at the receiving end of the drainage construction they undertook until havoc was wreaked.
“Unfortunately, this incident has cut into two of the Iju-Ogundimu-Water Works Road that is under construction,” he said.
He expressed fears over looming epidemic if nothing is done about the plight of his people and if the rains persist.
He pleaded with the lawmakers to assist in ensuring that a properly designed drainage system is constructed to ease the massive flow of water from other drainage systems to the river.
“After going through this horrible experience, we plead for an urgent intervention and a possible visit to see the damage caused by the flood in this community,” he added.
The House has therefore set up a three-man ad-hoc committee headed by the Majority Leader, Ajibayo Adeyeye, while Dayo Saka Fafunmi and Hon. Tobun Abiodun are members. They are to report back to the House in two weeks’ time.
By Eromosele Ebhomele