FLOODING STRANDS MOTORISTS, SUBMERGES BENIN-ORE EXPRESSWAY IN ONDO
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Commuters and motorists were stranded for several hours on Thursday after flooding submerged a section of the Benin-Ore-Ijebu Ode Expressway in the Ore axis of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The heavy rainfall, which lasted for several hours, also triggered flooding in parts of Ondo town, Odigbo, Irele, Ode-Aye and Igbokoda, destroying properties worth millions of naira as homes and vehicles were submerged. No fatalities were recorded.
A resident of Ore, who identified himself simply as Segun, said the flooding caused a severe traffic gridlock on the expressway, forcing many motorists to divert through the longer Okitipupa-Akinfosile-Omotosho route.
“The traffic logjam on the expressway was too much today. The road had been taken over by flood, while some motorists who knew another route passed through the Okitipupa-Akinfosile-Omotosho road, which is a very long journey. Some travellers were stranded and were lamenting,” he said.
A commercial driver, Joshua Oladele, described the situation as traumatic and called on the government to take urgent action to prevent a recurrence.
“Everyone was stuck. No one imagined that this highway would be this affected by floods. An urgent intervention is needed before more havoc is wreaked,” he said.
Residents of the affected communities also appealed to the Ondo State Government and relevant agencies to address the recurring flooding that disrupts livelihoods and damages property during the rainy season.
Reacting to the incident, the Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tob Loko, expressed regret over the flooding and assured residents that the government would take immediate steps to mitigate the situation.
He explained that several flood-prone locations across the state had already been identified and mapped for intervention, adding that recent videos and photographs had revealed additional areas requiring urgent assessment.
“It may not be possible to reach all affected areas at the same time, but the state government remains committed to addressing the challenge through coordinated, strategic and sustained efforts,” the commissioner said.
Loko disclosed that amphibious excavators were being deployed through the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control to strategic locations for emergency clearing of drainage channels and other flood control activities.
He also urged residents to promptly report flooding and other environmental concerns to the Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies, stressing that public cooperation is essential to effectively tackle the recurring menace.
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