The Ekiti State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed officers and men to flood-affected and flood-prone areas across the state following days of heavy downpour that triggered flooding and erosion in several communities.
The State Commandant, Commandant Sotiyo Igbalawole Emmanuel had ordered the deployment of the operatives for the operation as part of the Corps’ mandate as one of the nation’s foremost first responders during emergencies, crises and disasters.
This is just as EkIti State governor, Mr Abiodun Oyebanji has sympathised with the families of the victims of the recent flooding that occurred at various sites in the state capital, Ado EkIti with a call for concerted efforts at curbing the menace of flooding in the state.
Operatives from the Crisis and Disaster Management Department, alongside personnel from tactical units of the Corps were promptly deployed to affected locations to cordon off danger zones, protect lives and property, and prevent further risks arising from the flooding.
The torrential rainfall resulted in flooding and erosion in several parts of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital and other towns across the state. The development left some commuters stranded and caused flooding of residential, business areas and other locations.
NSCDC personnel were deployed to the Elemi River Bridge along the Ado–Afao Road, other bridges along the axis, as well as the Aayemi Garage Bridge along the Ado–Iworoko Road being part of the emergency response efforts by the Corps.
The operatives cordoned off the affected areas to prevent possible loss of lives and property while also facilitating the smooth movement of traffic through alternative routes.
The teams equally engaged residents and communities in flooded and flood-prone areas, sensitising them on appropriate safety measures and the need to exercise caution during and after heavy rainfall. Emergency contact information was also provided to facilitate prompt reporting and response to emergencies.
The State Commandant, Commandant Sotiyo Igbalawole Emmanuel, assured residents that the Corps would continue to take proactive measures and respond promptly and effectively to emergencies across Ekiti State.
The Commandant further called on residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with emergency responders whenever necessary, emphasising that collective responsibility remains critical to preventing avoidable disasters.
The NSCDC Ekiti State Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring prompt response to emergencies
across the state.
Governor Oyebani, represented by his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, whose office oversees disaster management in the state, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the flood-affected areas met with NSCDC deployed operatives deployed and received a comprehensive briefing on the Corps’ activities and interventions.
Chief (Mrs.) Afuye commended the NSCDC for its proactive response and the swift deployment of personnel from the Crisis and Disaster Management Unit to the affected areas urging them Corps to submit its official recommendations arising from the assessment to the State Government to facilitate appropriate measures to address the immediate challenges posed by the flooding and develop sustainable measures to prevent future occurrences.
Oyebanji expressed deep sadness at the unfortunate incident which led to the loss of lives of some residents of the state capital assuring that government would buckle efforts in addressing the ecological challenges bedevilling the state.
Addressing the people on behalf the governor at the sites of the incidents, Ayemi, Adebayo road and Elemi, Afao road, all in the state capital, Mrs Afuye noted that government had taken serious efforts at tackling water surge in the state by purchasing various earthmoving equipment which had been instrumental to a significant reduction in flooding across the state in the past few years .
While hinting that he was deeply worried by the unfortunate incident, he called on residents across the state to embrace safety regulations and take precautionary measures by jettisoning the conservative methods of wastes disposal that cause blockage of waterways by making use of the facilities provided by government for their wastes disposal.
“I want to be sincere with you, l am deeply worried by these unfortunate incidents. Immediately this administration came on board, various dredging machines were procured to address incessant flooding occurrences across the state. This effort has significantly reduced cases of flooding for the past few years.”
The governor also warned residents to stop taking undue risks that could endanger their lives by crossing flooded bridges during heavy rainfallls stressing that undermining heavy water traffic during rainfall could be disastrous.
“Government agencies have been moved to site to commence the re-dredging of the waterways. Flooding is both national and global issue. So, our people should exercise patience and allow floods to subside during heavy rainfall. This government is not happy with this situation and measures shall be taken to prevent the reoccurrence of this ugly development in the future.”
Explaining that the state had a topography of special concern due to the mountainous and hilly nature of the environment, he appealed to the federal government and developmental partners to upscale their ecological interventions in the state .
The general manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Oludare Asaolu, expressed the readiness of government to take immediate reparation actions in the aftermath of the flood by rebuilding bridges and connecting communities that had been hitherto cut off by the flood.
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