Traders in Shasha Market, Oke-Baale, Osogbo are now counting their losses after a heavy downpour that fell on Saturday evening submerged their stalls leading to loss of their goods and wares.
The heavy rainfall, which lasted for more than two hours, also forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes in the area.
A visit to the area revealed that although no life was lost, many houses, shops and kiosks were submerged, while food items were washed away.
One of the affected trades, Rufai Bello, said he rushed to the area to save some of his goods before the place was flooded.
He lamented that many of the traders were caught unawares and fled for safety as the water began to rise.
He also stated that as a result of their inability to salvage their goods, they suffered losses.
Another affected trader, Wakeel Alakuko said he and other traders were caught unawares and they were only able to take a few items away from the shop before the flood took over.
He said, “It has been an annual ritual for this to happen to us but we didn’t expect it so early.”
He revealed that in September-October, 2022, the Akintokun River in Igbo-Ifa overflowed its bank, causing huge havoc to traders in the area.
Other traders called on the state government to do something about the flood which had become a yearly occurrence.
They revealed that the government was aware but nothing was done even after several appeals.
“The solution is that there should be a bridge to channel the stream to the one in Igbo-Ifa but the past administration only put cemented rings there, which is too narrow for the river to navigate during the rainy season.
“We therefore called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to help us construct a bridge to expand the channels where the river can easily flow,” he said.
They lamented that it is just two months into the rainy season and they do not know what will happen towards the end of the year.
Reacting, the Osun State Government directed relevant agencies of government to immediately activate the state’s flood prevention plans.
In a statement signed by the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed on Sunday, the directive was issued after the Governor received reports of the inspections of the recent Osogbo flood, which affected several areas in the state capital.
The state government also urged the residents of the state to discontinue the dumping of refuse on drainage and waterways.
The government inspection team to the scene of the flood was led by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye.
The statement also revealed that Governor Adeleke instructed the Ministry of Environment, Works and other associated agencies to speed up work on all ongoing channelisation projects and launch the implementation of flood prevention agenda of the state government.
“Part of the programmes include clearing of blocked drainage and waterways, removal of structures blocking river lines, sensitization against refuse dumping in waterways and continuation of channelisation programmes of the administration.
“I direct the relevant agencies to set out to work on our flood prevention programmes. What we experienced was a flash flood but we must be proactive. All work plans already approved must be implemented without further delay.
“Osun is one of the states listed on the flood alert. The rainy season is here and we must be on the alert. We have launched many channelisation programmes across many towns and villages. This is still ongoing.
“Proper disposal of waste is provided for under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment. Our people must embrace such best practices to avoid avoidable loss of properties and lives,” he said.
While commiserating with the victims of the flood, the Governor instructed the state Ministry of Environment to include actionable recommendations in a detailed report to be submitted to him.
