By Jimoh Ahmed, Owo

As Nigerians continue to mourn the devastating flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, residents of the Akoko region in the Northern Senatorial District of Ondo State are raising concerns about their own vulnerability to erosion and flooding.

They are appealing to the Ondo State government to take proactive measures to prevent further disasters in the region. Of particular concern are River Dada in Ikare, Cornerstone River, Akungba River, and other rivers in towns such as Oka, Irun, Ogbagi, Eshe, Afin, and Ajowa, all of which are prone to flooding during heavy rains.

The residents are calling for immediate government intervention, pointing out that previous attempts to address the issue have either been inadequate or neglected.

The rivers in these towns are critical waterways that, if not properly maintained, could cause severe damage to homes, businesses, and farmlands.

They believe that without urgent action, these rivers pose a growing risk to lives and property, particularly as climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of rainstorms.

Alhaji Bakai Momodu from Arigidi and Chief Seriki Awesu from Akungba Akoko, in separate interviews, recounted some of the tragic incidents caused by flooding in the area.

They narrated how an AAUA student was swept away by floodwaters from the Akungba River, and how a Mount Carmel student tragically lost their life after being carried off by River Dada. They also shared the story of a notable Islamic cleric who went missing after being caught in a flash flood and has not been found to this day. These heartbreaking stories underscore the urgency of the residents’ pleas.

The residents are appealing to the state government to deploy ecological funds to address these dangerous erosion-prone areas.

They argue that such funds could be used to build proper drainage systems, fortify riverbanks, and clear waterways of debris, all of which would help mitigate the risk of flooding. In their view, the government has both the responsibility and the resources to act, and delays only put more lives and livelihoods at risk.

An environmental expert, Chief Sule Arekemase, has also weighed in on the issue. He advised residents to avoid building houses along riverbanks, a common practice in many of these towns that exacerbates the problem.

According to Arekemase, building too close to the water makes homes more vulnerable to erosion, while also narrowing the natural floodplain of rivers. He emphasised that when rivers overflow, the water needs space to disperse, and human encroachment limits that space, leading to dangerous flooding.

Chief Arekemase further warned against the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into rivers and drainage systems, a habit he said is worsening the flooding problem. When debris clogs waterways, it blocks the natural flow of water, causing rivers to overflow their banks.

He urged both residents and local authorities to prioritise cleaning up these waterways to prevent future tragedies, stressing that keeping rivers clear is an essential part of any long-term solution to the region’s flooding crisis.