Flooding in Ejiwumi: Community desperately cries for help

 

Ejiwumi, a community in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, is grappling with a severe flooding crisis. The floodwaters have rendered it impossible for children to attend school, with Mrs. Oni, a distraught resident, lamenting, "My children can't go to school because of the floodwaters. It's really affecting their education."

The flooding has ravaged homes, businesses, and farmlands, precipitating significant economic losses. Many residents have been displaced, and their homes damaged or destroyed. The scarcity of potable water has exacerbated the situation, posing grave health risks to residents.

Residents are vociferously calling on the government to provide a lasting solution to the flooding problem. They are demanding better infrastructure, including improved drainage systems, to prevent future flooding. The community's plight has raised questions about the effectiveness of government projects and the allocation of funds.

Alfa Azeez Kanisuru, is a fish farmer and one of the community leaders. He soon became emotional while speaking. He narrated how he incurred a debt of about N10 million due to flooding about two years ago and is now unable to repay the loan he took from a Cooperative Society.

Two years ago, Kanisuru said the entire area was flooded and their fish ponds submerged. “Our fishes were swept away. Some of us that have high blood pressure fainted and landed in the hospital because of the huge loss. Personally, I had just gotten a loan of about N10 Million from a Cooperative to boost my fish farming, but alas! the fish ponds were submerged by flood,” he said

The residents of Ejiwunmi Enji Area 1 in Offa want the Federal Government to order the contractor back to site to ensure they provide a wider and deeper erosion and flood control. This, the residents said is the only way to serve the community optimally and to enable them return to their homes and businesses. This is also as the fish farmers seek governments compensation in the form of financial support, to boost their farming activities.