Students Escape Death During Heavy Rains, As Oyo Residents Beg Makinde For Road, Bridge

Secondary students in the areas of Araromi, Mabolaje, and Alaguntan in Oyo East Local Government Area of Oyo State were rescued from imminent danger of being swept away by a flood that devastated much of the community.

The students, according to Mr Sunday Olaniyi, Public Relations Officer of the Landlord Association in the area, were passing through the only road that connects the communities which has been left unattended to for years during the downpour.

He said the students had fallen into the deluge of rushing water before rescuers quickly dived in and brought them out.

Mr Olaniyi, said the densely populated areas have been facing the trauma of road disrepair for more than 10 years.

Corroborating the comments of his colleague, Mr Ojerinde John who is also a landlord, said the community has made several attempts, written letters to appropriate quarters for the rehabilitation of the road and the bridge but nothing concrete has been done.

Mr Olaniyi said, “We call on Governor Seyi Makinde-led Administration to please help us reconstruct the road and the bridge there. We have written letters to the relevant Ministry but we are yet to see their presence here.

“The councillors have tried their best but the repair of the road whose most parts have been washed away by erosion is beyond their power.”

In his own words, Mr Ojerinde said their cries are yet to be heard by the relevant Ministry noting that flooding which is occasioned by the deplorable condition of the road endangers many lives in Oyo.

“We have made repeated efforts to get the attention of the state government but to no avail. You need to be here when it is raining.

“The road has been badly eroded making it inaccessible. We urgently need the attention of the State Government to save us from danger”.