Flooding in Owode Yewa -By BoluTife Animashaun

For as much as the residents of Owode-Yewa south so much longs for the rain, they are always put in a standstill when ever it do rains in the said area, as all manner of dirts is usually swept into the main streets and also keep many shop owners locked up as a result of water stagnation in the area.

The flood is as a result of lack of proper irrigating channels in the area. Water is usually left to roam the roads and streets and also penetrate into the houses of many. The few gutters available leads a great portion of the water to rest at the crosspoint along the Owode-Ado-Odo federal road, thereby creating a mini river popularly called ‘Ogbun‘.

Whenever such happens, residents living across the water on either sides finds it very difficult to cross the water. Most times, she are helped by heavy truck owners who may volunteer to assist people cross the water which can only carry a little fraction of them needing help.

Most pedestrians often decide to walk through the water which could be up to their chest, depend on the current of the rain. School children are not excluded.
Many young boys in the area take such time as a means of earning little cash, as whosoever is assisted by them in crossing the water pays a token of 50 naira.

Efforts have been put together by the surrounding CDAs to curb the flood whenever it rains. Thus led them to expand the gulch late last year which yielded little success, as water still remains stagnant taking time to flow.
“Only a powerful bridge can solve this problem” says a primary school proprietor who had to wait for hours after closing time just for the water to reduce so Hus cat wouldn’t get faulty by the water.

Capable private individuals have stood up to proffer solution to the area but are left without options than to stop as a result of the huge amount they are usually requested to pay at the local government authorities just to get a permit.

“The federal government should rise up to their responsibility and do something about this water” says a secondary school girl who had to cross the water with her bag on her head.
Another resident of the area (name withheld) questions the main reasons for electing the government into power. He says ” is this what we elected them for? All major roads that leads to Owode are bad, look at Zenith bank road, look at Ilaro road and also this one (Ogbun)”.
“I can’t imagine myself walking through this water” says a government primary school teacher who lives across the water.

Ogbun has whenever it rains become an area for recreation, as many come to look at how bike riders and car drivers show experience in crossing the water when it reduces. And for those who decide that they can’t cross/walk through the water, the only option is to board bikes going through the Folashade estate at inflated prices.