Oke Afa community seeks govt intervention By Bertram Nwannekanma

A flooded house on a rainy day in the area

FOR residents of Esther Ibekwe, Azombe,
Omololu Fatumbi, Sam Chuks, Vineyard and Ase
streets in Peace Home Valley Estate, Oke Afa
Isolo in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area
of Lagos State, it has been a continuous battle
with the challenge of perennial flooding for years
now.
With such beautiful name as Peace Home Valley
Estate, the estate, which should be synonymous
with tranquility and comfort, has become a
nightmare to residents because of the devastating
effect of flood. The situation, residents say, is so
intense that they are being threatened to pack
from their homes.
Apart from the torrential rainfall, the situation is
compounded by an overflow of water from
nearby communities such as Jakande Low Cost
Housing Estate, Ejigbo; Bucknor, Isheri and
environs, with drains directed towards the
community and making life unbearable for
residents.
According to the chairman of the Community
Development Association (CDA), Mr. Omololu
Fatumbi, sometimes, houses are submerged and
people have had to abandon their homes at
various times until the flood water receded.
“The roads leading to various streets are
completely inaccessible such that to navigate
through, many residents resort to using rain
boots while others simply swim across to get in
or out of their houses. Economic activities and
movements are hampered.” Fatumbi said the
community, in a bid to find lasting solution, has
written several letters to the relevant authorities,
all to no avail.
The Guardian investigation revealed a survey by
the state Ministries of Environment, and Lands
and Physical Planning assessed some structures
as major obstructions to the construction of a
secondary canal to channel the flood water
through to the Oke-Afa main canal, making the
government resolve to demolish the affected
structures to pave the way for the
implementation of the project.
Lamenting the plight of the community, Secretary
of the Drainage and Development Committee,
Mr. John Ayalogu, said they were waiting on
government to come to their rescue by wielding
the big stick and bringing down the structures on
the right of way.
Another resident, Mrs. Ifeoma Mozie, lamented
the menace of the heavy flood. “Many times, my
house has come under intense pressure on
account of this disaster. When it rains, I would
pump water with the aid of a pumping machine
for days on end to avert my entire family and
household being swept off by the flood. I am
pleading with the state government to come to
our aid at Peace Valley Estate. Our children are at
risk of being swept off by the flood when they go
to school,” she said.