By Julius Alabi, Akure
To ward off flooding and ensure the protection of lives and property, the various communities in Ilotin, at Ijoka in Akure, the Ondo state capital, have cried to the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to help them dredge the only canal within their locality.
The communities, Ilotin 1, Ilorin 2, Ilotin 3, Ilotin 4, Ilotin 5 said the call at this time became necessary as they always face flooding in the area during the rainy season.
Speaking with TheNiche, Sunday Busstop, the Chairman of Ilotin 1, Ijoka, Mr Williams Akinwolere and Mr David Omole in Akure said flooding in the area has continuously constituted a serious source of concern and threat to their valuables.
The residents within the community said the only canal/bridge at Ilotin 1 at Sunday Busstop at Ijoka that connected the adjoining communities have been abandoned, a scenario, that should be addressed now before the rains come.
According to the residents, the only bridge in the area was done by self-help by the community saying that the canal has exposed them and put them at the mercy of flood, which they claimed when at its peak, often rises up to nine feet, submerging and expose lives and property to a serious threat.
Rising from their meeting yesterday, the residents of the five communities in “Save-Our-Soul”, pleaded with Governor Akeredolu to ensure the canal is channelled before another rainy season.
Yearly, they said residents spend between N250,000 and N300,000 to clear the canal and the culverts of debris which has resulted in a reduction in incidences of flooding anytime it rained