…As residents bemoan loss of lives to flood
By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has conducted an on-site visit to communities severely affected by erosion in Ekiti State, where damaged bridges and culverts have left local residents vulnerable and displaced.
Leading the team, National Project Coordinator, Engineer Ayuba Anda, visited various communities in Ekiti alongside the Ekiti NEWMAP team to assess the extent of the damage caused by the persistent floods and erosion.
The delegation began its assessment in Efon Alaaye, where they visited Ibete Oni River and Owode Phase 2, both of which had been cut off entirely due to the collapse of key infrastructure. Local residents reported that homes had been abandoned as floodwaters eroded foundations, and tragically, one individual had lost their life in the disaster.
The team also conducted inspections in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, where areas like Olorunda and Olorunsogo communities were badly affected by washed-away houses and bridges. These incidents have left residents living in constant fear, and local leaders have called for urgent action from the government. The Chairman of Olorunda community spoke about the devastating impact of the floods, recounting the loss of a pupil who drowned after a makeshift bridge collapsed under the force of the floodwater.
Other areas in Ado Ekiti, such as Ori Apata Street, Adebayo, and Temidire Street Dallimore, were also heavily affected. Residents there spoke of erosion that had created dangerous gorges, endangering both their homes and lives. The community was deeply saddened by the death of a young man who drowned while trying to cross a waterlogged gutter.
Following the inspections, Engineer Ayuba Anda praised the success of the assessment, confirming that the affected areas met the criteria for urgent intervention.
“This is a life-threatening situation, and there’s no sugar-coating the facts. The community leaders have shared their grief with us, and we empathise with their loss. Major roads have been disconnected, and the makeshift bridges are no longer safe,” he said.
Anda specifically pointed to the urgent need to address the Olorunda bridge and surrounding waterways, noting that the area was a convergence point for multiple water channels, which exacerbates the erosion problems. He assured residents that the watershed management strategy would offer long-term solutions to the issues, acknowledging Ekiti’s vulnerability due to its geographical location and frequent heavy rainfall.
While assuring the people of Ekiti that NEWMAP would bring much-needed relief, Anda urged the communities to adopt a culture of maintenance to ensure the sustainability of the projects. He also commended Governor Abayomi Oyebanji for his strong support of the initiative, citing the significant increase in the state’s funding for the project, from 500 million naira to over 1 billion naira in counterpart funds.
“The governor has shown true commitment to his people by allocating these funds, and we will act swiftly to resolve these issues. The situation has been assessed, and we are fast-tracking the process to provide relief,” he said.
In addition, the NEWMAP coordinator for Ekiti State, Akinyemi Akinyugha, explained that the project was established by the state government to tackle soil erosion and improve stormwater management across the state. He emphasised that the Governor’s administration was committed to addressing critical infrastructure issues, including eroded roads, failed culverts, and collapsed bridges, as part of a broader effort to protect lives and properties during heavy rains.
“Governor Oyebanji is dedicated to improving drainage infrastructure, which will help protect communities from the devastating effects of erosion and flooding,” Akinyugha added. “We ask for patience from the affected communities as we work to bring them much-needed relief.”
Earlier, the team visited the Governor’s office, where the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Niyi Adebayo, reiterated the state’s commitment to the project. He assured the delegation that the state government was fully dedicated to the development of Ekiti, as demonstrated by the disbursement of 100 million naira for the first phase of the project and the new budget of over 1 billion naira in counterpart funding.
“We are committed to addressing the challenges faced by our people, and the governor’s administration is already taking action to provide long-term solutions,” Adebayo said.
