From Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

Residents of Ondo town have applauded the Ondo State Government for the ongoing channelisation of the Orin River at Italurowo community, aimed at addressing the persistent flooding at Itanla.

In separate interviews with The Hope, they urged the government to adopt comprehensive measures to mitigate flooding and its adverse effects. Among the suggested measures were constructing drainage systems in strategic locations and clearing blocked drainages.

The General Chairman of Italurowo community, Elder Johnson Tawio Adeyaile, expressed the community’s delight over the project.

“As a community, we are very happy about the project. It is long overdue, so we are grateful to the government for its timely intervention.

“We call on the government to handle the project with care so as to deliver a quality work. The work is just too slow, and we will soon enter into another rainy season. We appeal to the government to do more so that the project can be completed on time.

“The channelisation, by way of river engineering to widen and deepen the river, will increase the capacities for flow volume at specific sections,” he said.

Adeyaile also called on the government and residents to adopt precautionary measures to control flooding.

A resident, Moses Fadoju, expressed similar sentiments: “We are happy with the ongoing channelisation of the river because of the damage flood has done to our community over the years.

“But unfortunately, the rate at which they started the channelisation has gone down. The channelisation has widened the river, and without proper embankments on both sides, the flood may cause more problems when the rain starts.”

Fadoju appealed to the government to expedite action on the project to put an end to the recurring flooding in the Itanla area and the wider community.

A retired Permanent Secretary and resident of the area, Steve Awosika, emphasised the importance of completing the embankments. “It will reduce unnecessary costs in the future if the government can do the embankment of the river.

“We appeal to the government to do a quality project that will solve the problem of flooding once and for all. The community appreciates the government’s intervention.”

At Itanla, residents told The Hope that the height and blockage of the bridge in the area remained a significant contributor to flooding.

“The culvert in the area was blocked, and a structure had been erected on the waterway, thus encouraging the flood.”

On Jordan Street, Oke Oduwo, a resident, Adediran Adefusi, described flooding as a terrible ordeal. He said that during heavy rains, the floodwaters overwhelmed houses and roads.

He praised the government for its early intervention, noting that it helped to minimise the potential destruction.

A businesswoman at Oke Oduwo, Mrs Omodieke Esther, lamented the impact of the flood on her trade. She urged the government to implement lasting solutions.

“Most of the time, I part with money to ensure that the river isn’t blocked, especially after rain. My shop was flooded for the first time. The government should pay attention to the river to prevent damage during subsequent rains.”

At Odo Ijomu, residents complained that work on the bridge, which began months ago, had been abandoned.

“The flood has narrowed the main road, so the government should do the needful before it cuts off the road,” they said.