Residents of Araromi Oke-omi community in Egbeda Local Government Area, have solicited the help of the Oyo State Government in addressing the impact of flooding occasioned by the surge  at ‘Odo-omi River in the area.

The affected residents and their leaders made the appeal in separate interviews with journalists on Wednesday in Ibadan.

They said prior to the flooding, several efforts were made to get governments at both local and state levels to address the life-threatening situation that has also crippled trading and local commerce within five affected communities.

The Chairman of Araromi Oke-omi/Arekemase Community Development Association, Alhaji Afolabi Lateef, told journalists that what was viewed as an ordinary erosion had since become a threat to residents of the affected communities.

Lateef said the efforts proved abortive due to inability of government to come to the rescue of the affected communities.

“This Odo-omi River has been like this for over twelve years without any practical solution and it has sadly, continued to expand.

“Anytime it rained, especially heavy one, we become perplexed in this area because we would be unable to cross over to the other end of the river, same way those coming from that end won’t be able to cross over to this side,” Afolabi said.

He narrated that Governor Seyi Makinde had personally visited the river and also made promises to provide a lasting solution.

Similarly, he said officials from the state Ministry of Works as well as delegates from Ibadan Urban Flood Management (IUFMP) at several intervals, also carried out assessment of the situation to no avail, as it had worsen.

“Government of Oyo State led by Gov. Makinde has come with tractor to drench the river, but the major work has not been done.”

Alhaji Lateef appealed to both the Egbeda local government and Oyo state government to urgently come to their aid.

One of the traditional leaders in one of the affected communities, Chief Mukaila  Akindele, the Otun Baale of Kumapayi, who described the river as ‘fantastic’ lamented that former governor, Late Abiola Ajimobi also visited the river during his tenure but with no results.

Some aged affected community leaders and landlords who spoke to journalists  include Alhaji Akanbi Lukman, Mrs. J. O. Anisere, and Mrs. Adetunji Mojisola.

They all lamented their predicaments and appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde, who they described as friend of the masses to come to their rescue.

They said the river overflow mostly during the rainy season and continued to portend serious threat to their lives and livelihoods.