Heavy downpour kills one, destroys houses in Edo community

The last few days have been devastating for the residents of Igarra, the headquarters of Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo, as a lone commercial motorcycle rider, simply identified as Uche, was swept away by the flooding that accompanied a heavy downpour in the sprawling community.

Besides the human casualty, not fewer than 20 houses were destroyed in the community by the ravaging flood, which also did not spare the neighbouring communities to the local government headquarters.

Uche, the lone bike rider, eyewitness accounts stated, was washed away by the flood while coming to Igarra from Somorika. His body was said to have been recovered two days later.

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Also, many graves were said to have been destroyed by the flood, and many houses were submerged for several days, especially those along the Okpe Road near the Igarra Police Station, with residential, commercial, and religious buildings badly affected by the devastating flood.

The fence of the private home of Taiwo Akerele, former Chief of Staff to former Governor Godwin Obaseki, was also affected by the devastating flood, the type of which was last recorded in the community a decade ago.

Areas worst hit by the flood included Iretutu axis, Pope Francis Road, Okpe Road, Market Road, and Rest House Road, all in Igarra, among others.

Confirming the incident on Friday, the councilor representing Akoko Edo Ward 1, Asebe Rabi, said the flood was devastating and that many people had lost their property and means of livelihood, calling on the authorities for support.

On his part, the Chairman of the Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Alabi Oshionogue, said the necessary bodies like the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had been informed.

“We have taken records and communicated with SEMA and are also doing a follow-up on it. We sympathise with the affected families while making plans to ameliorate the situation before us as a government.

“We are working in collaboration with the SEMA to ensure those affected by the flood are reached in this trying period.

“I have directed the HOLGA, the HOD environment/works to carry out immediate assistance in clearing the drainages by removing the refuse and wastes the flood has deposited across areas affected.” Oshionogue stated.