Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), a Federal Government parastatal, led by Adedeji Ashiru, has intensified efforts to address the gully erosion causing untimely deaths and loss of properties and businesses in Owakurudu, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
This was made known during the handing over of a project to the contractor.
The project includes concrete channelisation of the gully and reclamation of the lost grounds.
Ashiru said neglect by the past governments had brought untold anguish and suffering to the residents.
He added that the project marked a new chapter for the communities that had endured years of despair, hopelessness, destruction and dashed expectations.
“Today’s gathering is more than just the start of a project, but the end of decades of suffering, by the people of Owakurudu and adjoining communities.
“It is a symbolic break from the history of unfulfilled promises and unattended cries for help. For far too long, the gully erosion challenge has remained an open wound in the hearts of the people of Ijebu Ode.
It is a story of human suffering where dreams were buried alongside buildings and where lives were literally torn apart by the floodwater.
“However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Ogun Osun River Basin Development Authority to take over Owakurudu flood and erosion control project, which will cover extensive drainage work, slope stabilisation and gully reclamation,” Ashiru said.
He said the control project was about 727 metres long and would be due for inauguration in nine months.
Ashiru thanked Tinubu for the support so far and appealed to residents to cooperate with the contractor.
Chairman, Owakurudu Community Development Association (OCDA), Mr. Adesina Adegbesan, said: ‘’This flooding issue started since 2002. We have written many letters, all to no avail. We have lost a lot of things. We lost nine landlords, both men and women, a big storey building just caved in one day. We met former governors during their tenure, nothing was done. We thank God for the Federal Government’s intervention.”
Baale of Owakurudu, Alhaji Ademosu Masheka, said he lost 16 rooms and his bakery business to the gully erosion.
