The Oyo state government has declared that it will commence the demolition of all structures on flood plains or drainages in the state in a matter of days.
This was made known by the Commissioner for Physical planning & urban development, Ms. Kafayat Adeojo who called on all the residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately as demolition will commence within a week.
The government’s call is coming as the rainy season is about to commence for the year, and people living in flood prone areas city have also called on the state government to come to their aid by dredging affected rivers urgently.
Ibadan, the Oyo state capital was ravaged by massive flood that claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands across the state in August 2011. The flood also destroyed a number of bridges, roads and houses in the city.
Residents made the plea when Channels Television visited some of the worst hit areas where structures built on flood plains have been marked for demolition by the government.
Despite the demolition notice, people have refused to vacate some of the premises as most house owners at Agara in Oluyole local government area and Oke Ayo in Ibadan South-west local government area claim they have government’s approval before building.
Speaking on the claim, the Commissioner for Physical Planning noted that there may be succour for those genuine claims, stating that “government will ascertain the status of all buildings marked for demolition with a view to compensating those with legitimate claims.”
She added that all those affected by the demolition notice should present their documents for scrutiny. Ms Adeojo further revealed that the development of a master plan for Ibadan is underway to correct some of the mistakes of the past so as to be able to avoid new ones.
On the dredging of rivers, the Commissioner for Environment and habitat, Alhaji Wasiu Dauda apologized for the delay in the dredging, stating that “the government was sorry for the delay and promised that contractors will move on to site in the next few weeks.”
Residents who live in some of the affected areas do so with trepidation, feeling helpless with every drop of the rain.
Some of the landlords told Channels Television that apart from the distribution of mattresses and food items government has done nothing concrete to help them since the devastation that struck last year.
Politics of disaster
Meanwhile, a member of the Oyo state House of Assembly, representing Ibadan North II State Constituency, Mr. Olusegun Olaleye, has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of failing to fulfill his promise to cushion the effects of the August 26 flood disaster in Ibadan.
Mr. Olaleye over the weekend had accused the federal government of playing politics with the disaster, seven months after the flood that claimed over 100 lives, the Federal Government had continued to play.
He argued the federal government was delaying its promise because Oyo State is under the control of the opposition party, Action Congress of Nigeria. This, he said, could be dangerous considering the advent of another rainy season.
He noted that as a result of the magnitude of last year’s disaster, the Presidency should not allow political sentiments to overrule its emergency management role.
President Goodluck Jonathan had flown into the city shortly after the disaster in 2011 and promised to come to the aid of the affected families.