Residents and property owners in Agbara, an industrial community in Ogun State, are counting losses after perennial flooding wreaked havoc in the area.
The worst-hit area is Area 8, OPIC Estate, where residents have been lamenting the relentless flooding that has affected their buildings and belongings. Many properties have been submerged by water, forcing residents to relocate to safe havens.
In a letter to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the victims described their situation as an impending disaster. The letter, which was co-signed by the Estate Chairman, Adebowale Odunayo, and the Assistant Secretary, Iziokhai Ohioze, called the attention of the government to the ravaging effect of incessant flooding that the community has been experiencing over time.
According to the victims, the incident has been formally reported to OPIC Management on several occasions, but each visit has ended with unfulfilled promises. They said the frequency and intensity of flooding in Area 8 have increased substantially over the past few years, and that the non-existence of drainage systems is worsening the situation during downpours.
The flooding has not only led to financial losses, but has also compromised the structural integrity of houses. The victims have appealed to Governor Abiodun to approve an immediate upgrade of the entire drainage architecture of the area, and to rehabilitate the road within the OPIC Estate, particularly Roads 411, 800, 808, and 81. They believe that tarring these roads would complement the drainage system
