Kazeem Owoseni
Following the discovery of the dead body of a man, suspected to be a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as Okada rider in Ureje river, Ado Ekiti on Saturday, the Ekiti State Government has appealed to the residents of the state, to avoid riding during a heavy rainfall.
Making the appeal while leading a team of government officials to Ureje River, along Ado-Ijan-Ikare road, to supervise the movement of the corpse to the morgue of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital on Saturday, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, told residents not to panic
Mrs Afuye in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, said the team suspected that the victim must have drowned during the Friday’s evening torrential downpour, that led to flooding in some sections of the state.
She however promised that the government would collaborate with security agencies to investigate the matter and unravel the cause of the victim’s death.
The Deputy Governor noted that documents like ATM cards and other identification materials found on the deceased will be used to identify him.
However, Afuye assured that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s government will spare no effort to curtail flooding and safeguard the lives and property of the people through effective policies and initiatives.
The residents of Ureje, a suburb of Ado Ekiti metropolis, woke up on Saturday morning, to see the lifeless body of a man inside the River, which prompted Governor Biodun Oyebanji to deploy the delegation to the spot.
In her words, the Deputy Governor said: “Governor Oyebanji was not happy about this terrible and sad event. He was not happy hearing that someone died in the flood.
“It is our prayer that you live to enjoy the dividends of democracy this government is putting in place for you.
“Some of these deaths can be avoided. No point in driving or trekking during torrential rainfall can suddenly cause flooding. When you notice that rain is falling, park your car or motorcycle and stay wherever you can be safe as a commuter or pedestrian.
“The governor has been doing much to prevent flooding in Ekiti. You can all see the level of dredging this government had done on main valleys and places susceptible to flooding in the Ado Ekiti metropolis.
“If the government was doing these, try and complement our efforts by taking precautionary measures that can protect your lives,” she advised.
Among those who are part of the government team are the Chairman, Ado Local Government, Bosun Osaloni, Commissioner for Environment, Mrs Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko, Director General, Community Communications, Mrs Mary Oso-Omotoso, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr Babatunde Alokan,
Others in the delegation are the General Manager, of Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Oludare Asaolu, Divisional Police Officer, Ado Ekiti Division, Mr Ibrahim Sanusi, among others.
