Hakeem Gbadamosi, Akure
Property worth millions of naira were destroyed in Ilara community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo state, as over 160 houses were destroyed by a torrential rainstorm.
The heavy storm which started around 7pm was accompanied by the rainfall and caused havoc in the community, blowing off roofs of houses and other property, including shops, schools, churches and electric poles.
The rainstorm, apart from destroying residential buildings, also destroyed churches, mosques, shops while electrical poles were uprooted, throwing the whole community into darkness.
Some of the areas worst hit are Oladeji street, Hospital Road, Odo Gbeyin, Oja Jare quarters opposite Elizade road, the Apostolic Primary School, Ilara Mokin among others, while properties destroyed by the flood included cars, mattresses, cooking utensils among other items.
A resident of the community, a community leader, Chief Isaac Ogundari, who described the incident as an act of God said the heavy rain wrecked havoc on most buildings in the town.
He lamented that the effect of the rainstorm was devastating, describing it as unfortunate while many residents of the community have been rendered homeless.
Ogundari called on the state and federal government for assistance in repairing the buildings destroyed by the storm, saying the rain affected social and commercial activities in the town.
The traditional ruler of the town, the Alara of Ilara Mokin, Oba Abiodun Adefehinti, described the incident as shocking, even though it is a natural disaster and solicited for quick assistance from the state government and other well-meaning individuals, saying the destruction was monumental.
He said “We know what it is in the economy right now, we know that there is paucity of funds and prices are on the high side but notwithstanding we have to make point of call to the government that we need assistance.
“More than 100 houses are affected and the number of people who slept outside during these past nights would be close to 200 or more than that. Some of them have taken time to repair those ones that were not terribly damaged.
“We know government as a lot of things to do, however, we are appealing to them that we need their assistance”
Speaking, the Commissioner for Energy, Mines and Natural Resources, Razaq Obe, said the level of damage caused by the rainstorm is unprecedented.
He noted that over 160 houses were destroyed by the rainstorms, saying the yearnings of the people for solace would be delivered to the state government.
“The best view of the carnage was possibly in the morning where people woke up to see the level of destruction in the community, the essence of our coming is to see for ourselves and convey the message to those that have responsibility to intervene.
“We cannot complain to God, it is a natural disaster but we will do our best to take this message to the government of Ondo State and even to higher levels that government should rise to help the people because many of them could not say a word they only speak to us through their tears. The best we can do is to come out quickly and help them”, Obe said.
He sympathised with the monarch, residents and other stakeholders in the community, saying Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is seriously concerned about the development and will do everything within his power to assist those affected.
