Ibadan Flood: Jonathan Promises to reconstruct bridges, roads

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has promised the Oyo State Government to re-construct bridges and roads that were washed away by the flood disaster that ravaged the city last week.

The president who inspected some of the affected areas said the sight was pitiable seeing young men, women and children who died in the flood.

People queue to pass through a make-shift bridge after a heavy flood swept away a connecting bridge in Nigeria’s south-west city of Ibadan, 150km (90 miles) north of commercial hub Lagos August 30, 2011. REUTERS

President Jonathan was accompanied by four ministers. They included Minister of Works, Environment and Water Resources. Also with the president were Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Speaker, House of Assembly, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu and others.

He said seeing the extent of damage done by the flood disaster, the Federal Government would assist the Oyo State Government to cushion the effects of the flood on the people of the state.

He arrived Ibadan at exactly 12.33pm at the Ibadan Airport where Governor Abiola Ajimobi went to receive him.

Before he started speaking, he created the indulgence of the people to stand up and observe a minute silence for the souls of those that perished in the disaster.

He said technical experts from the Ministry of Water Resources and the Environment should liaise with the state government to find out how the Federal Government could help Oyo State handle the disaster.

President Jonathan acknowledged the prompt response of the State Government led by Governor Ajimobi, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other agencies that did all they could to reduce the suffering of the victims.

“We inspected some places affected by the flood disaster and seen the extent of damage done by the flood disaster. They showed us the pictures of the water level and some of the dead bodies recovered. It is a natural disaster. We pray that God would give the state and families of victims the fortitude to bear the loss.

“On the part of the FG, we commend the Director General of NEMA and other staff who intervened very quickly and also the state government for prompt response. While NEMA will be assisting in the distribution of relief materials to cushion the effects, we ask the technical experts from the Ministry of Works, Water Resources and Ministry of Environment to come and look at the affected places. The FG would assist in constructing the bridges, culverts and roads that had been washed out. The sight is quite pitiable especially seeing the video clips” the president said.

The visit of the president almost led to fracas between members of the Action Congress of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party.

At the Airport, when the President was about taking off, two groups of women from both parties engaged each other in abusive songs. When it seemed the heat was so much and tension heightened, security agencies had to ask one of the groups to move away to avoid open confrontation.

Earlier, Governor Ajimobi described the president as a caring and supportive person.

He recalled that the State and the South West as a whole had not witnessed that type of flood before.

By OLA AJAYI, Ibadan

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