By Thompson ABISOLA
The President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday assured victims of flood disaster in Abeokuta, Ogun State, of Federal Government support and assistance.
Osinbajo gave the assurance when he visited the state to commiserate with the victims and the state government.
TBI Africa reports that about eight people lost their lives while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed following downpour on Friday evening which lasted hours.
The Vice President in company of Gov. Ibikunle Amosun and other government officials visited some of the affected areas including Amolaso Ago Ijesa, Itoku and Ijeja in the Abeokuta metropolis.
Osinbajo, who addressed journalists at Itoku area, described the incident as “unfortunate.” He, however, gave assurance that the Federal Government would provide immediate relief materials to assist the victims.
He said if not for the drainage system, channelisation and the good infrastructure put in place by the state government, the incident would have been worse.
“Let say that what has happened here is very unfortunate indeed. A lot of drainages have been done but then level of the rain has been so heavy that it has overtaken the infrastructure in place.
“So, what we are looking at is how the infrastructure can be enhanced and we are also discussing with the governor on how the Federal Government can be of assistance.
“We have to really sit down and look at those challenges properly and also provide immediate relieve materials to support the state government,” he said.
The vice president said the incident of flash flooding was unavoidable, particularly in situations of heavy rains in areas like Ogun.
Osinbajo urged the people of the state to shun the habit of blocking drains through indiscriminate dumping of refuse. He advised that in such situation, people living in valley areas should quickly move to “higher grounds.”
“On the whole, the loss of lives is very unfortunate. The Federal Government commiserates with the state government and families of the victims.
“I also want to say that God has been gracious to us here in Ogun because it could have been worse. We also have to be thankful to the state government for providing the right type of infrastructure and for its very quick response to minimise the loss,”
It would be recalled that some of the victims were seen salvaging their losses as at the time of the visit.
