25th September, 2013
Following the torrential rain that fell for about 22 hours in Benin City on Monday, residents of the Edo State capital in southern Nigeria are still counting their loses as about 50 houses reportedly collapsed, while over 100 others were flooded.
Hundreds were rendered homeless following the havoc which occurred in Egor, Ikpoba-Okha and Oredo local government areas that make up the Benin City metropolis.
Areas worst hit include Uwa in Second Circular Road, Second Circular Road by Flash Pools Limited, Oza Street among others where more than 10 buildings collapsed and about 50 others were flooded.
About 10 houses were said to have collapsed in Ikpoba-Okha, especially around Dumez Road areas, Upper Sokponba road, Ikpoba Hill and its environs, with several other houses flooded.
Twelve residential buildings reportedly collapsed and several others were flooded in Egor local government area, many of them around Teacher’s House, Anigboro area in Uselu axis.
A retired civil servant, 76-year old David Akhase, who was among those who lost their buildings to the heavy rain, said his family lost all that they had laboured for over the years.
A retired Customary Court judge, 86-year old Peter Aigbe, also lost his building to the torrential rain.
He said the affected residents were forced to seek refuge in their various relatives’ houses, noting that at the moment they have been rendered homeless.
Commenting on the havoc wreaked on the residents, Chairman of Oredo local government council, Osaro Obaze, who undertook an assessment of the affected areas, confirmed that a total of 10 houses have been reported to have collapsed while several others were flooded.
Obaze called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EDSEMA), Edo State Government and other relevant agencies to assist the council with relief materials.
When contacted, the Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha council, Itohan Osahon Ogbeide, on the council’s plans for the affected residents, she declined to pick her phone call.
She asked journalists to concentrate on other issues rather contacting local government authorities to know the number of houses destroyed and submerged by floods as well as what the authorities are doing to assist the victims.
—Jethro Ibileke/Benin