Flood Terrorizes Osogbo Market- Ekohotblog

EKO HOT BLOG reports that following a torrential downpour on Saturday evening, traders at Shasha Market in Oke-Baale, Osogbo, are now grappling with substantial losses as their stalls were submerged and goods washed away by the floodwaters.

The heavy rainfall, which persisted for over two hours, also forced numerous residents in the area to evacuate their homes.

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A visit to the affected area revealed that although no casualties were reported, numerous houses, shops, and kiosks were inundated, while food items were carried away by the floodwaters.

Rufai Bello, one of the affected traders, expressed his distress over the incident and revealed that he had rushed to the market in an attempt to salvage some of his goods before the area was flooded.

He lamented that many traders were caught off guard and had to flee for safety as the water levels rapidly rose. Consequently, they incurred significant financial losses as they were unable to salvage their merchandise.

Another affected trader, Wakeel Alakuko, shared a similar account, stating that they were taken by surprise and could only retrieve a few items from their shops before the floodwaters engulfed the area. Alakuko expressed concern about the early occurrence of the flooding, as a similar incident had transpired in September-October 2022 when the Akintokun River in Igbo-Ifa overflowed, causing extensive damage to traders’ businesses.

Several traders appealed to the state government to address the recurring issue of flooding, which has become a yearly occurrence. They claimed that despite numerous appeals, the government had not taken any effective action.

The traders suggested that constructing a bridge to expand the channels for water flow would alleviate the problem, as the current cemented rings installed by the previous administration were too narrow to accommodate the river during heavy rainfall.

In response, the Osun State Government swiftly directed relevant government agencies to activate the state’s flood prevention plans. The directive came after Governor Ademola Adeleke received reports from inspections of the recent flood in Osogbo, which affected several areas in the state capital. The government also urged residents to refrain from dumping refuse in drainage systems and waterways.

A government inspection team led by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, visited the flood-affected site. The Governor instructed the Ministry of Environment, Works, and other associated agencies to expedite ongoing channelization projects and implement the state government’s flood prevention agenda.

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This includes clearing blocked drainage and waterways, removing structures obstructing river lines, conducting public awareness campaigns against refuse dumping in waterways, and continuing channelization programs.

Governor Adeleke emphasized the need for proactive measures, considering that Osun is among the states listed on flood alert. He urged the agencies to diligently implement the approved work plans without further delay. The Governor also stressed the importance of proper waste disposal under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment to prevent avoidable loss of lives and properties.

While expressing condolences to the flood victims, Governor Adeleke instructed the Ministry of Environment to include actionable recommendations in a detailed report to be submitted to him.