In the last 33 years, flood incidents have killed more than 600,000 people globally, and displaced millions of people.
The recent flood occurrence in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, has caused an unprecedented damages to lives and properties worth millions of naira.
The history of Ojagboro community in Ilorin may not be completed without referencing flood disaster that visits the community annually.
Raining season to those leaving in this commuinity and some other flood prone areas have always been greeted with pains
Climate is changing, and sea levels are rising, new homes are still being built at the Ojagboro river-side, putting residents at annual risk of losing properties.
Investigation conducted by THE INFORMANT247 at Ojagboro community revealed that a majority of people prefer to stay by river-side because of the relatively cheap cost of aquiring a landed property in the area.
Though a very calm and accomodating community, the annual flood disaster continue to pose a great threat to the habitants.
Speaking with a resident of the community, Mr Omolaye Paul of Adualere/Isale-koko, narrated to our correspondent how he had suffered great loss of properties over the year, yet still resides at the area.
“This is an annual occurrence which we anticipate with anxiety. Had it been I had enough money, I would have pack from this area long ago. I have been living here for the past 8- years and except for the Asa Channelisation, we had not seen any government impact here,” Omolaye said.
Another resident, Ibrahim Yusuf, who spoke with our correspondent appealed to the state government to see to their plights.
“We don’t have anywhere to go, we beg the new administration of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to come to our aid.
However, the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq during his visit called on the Federal Government to order contractors handling the channelisation of the Asa River in the state back to site, saying the drainage was poorly done and is too narrow to prevent flooding in the areas and loss of human lives and properties.
AbdulRazaq said he had written to the Federal Government about the threats the poor job poses to the people of the state, especially residents of Ilorin, the state capital.
“This (channelisation) was long awarded. They didn’t execute it properly. We have written them a letter that they should come and finish it. What they did is too narrow,” AbdulRazaq.