Speaking with PUNCH Online on Sunday, the residents revealed that plying the mini bridge known as ‘Oke Oniburukutu bridge’ during rainfall has led to the death of motorists and passers-by who lost their lives as a result of flood accidents that dragged them into the canal.
It was learnt that motorists and residents become cautious whenever they are using the bridge during a downpour so they do not drown. While some get rescued, some are sometimes unlucky. Lives and properties have been lost, leaving the families of the victims heartbroken and in long-lasting pain.
When our correspondent visited the community, the road was in bad condition and the state of the mini bridge was alarming as it was not in good shape.
The mini bridge was not properly constructed as the materials used in the building were of low quality. There are no railings at the sides and the decking is very low, which makes the flood in the canal to be equal to that of the bridge, whenever there is rainfall.
A resident, simply identified as Mautin, said people living in the community are unhappy with the state of the bridge.
“The residents are not pleased with and we will be happy if the government intervenes and work on that particular bridge. It is always hell when rain falls. Last Sunday, my family and I were preparing to go to church when the rain started, so we had to undress and sleep due to the fear of passing the bridge to church. We cannot afford to risk our lives.
“The canal at both sides expands day by day and if care is not taken, it will collapse the bridge,” She said.
Another resident, Anyalawachi, said that she is tired of the situation as residents have been crying out in the media. She revealed that “the road that leads to the bridge has been dilapidated for years now, and the community has been responsible for providing materials for its repair.”
She alleged that the government has been making promises of repairing the bad road but nothing has been done.
The LCDA Chairman, Monsuru Atobatele, narrated his effort in proffering a solution to the accident occurring on the bridge.
He said the mini bridge leads to over 13 communities, and he made several complaints about the bad condition of the bridge.
“I have made numerous complaints but there hasn’t been feasible change, even after officials from the state ministry of works came to inspect the bridge. Floods from different localities pass through this canal making it a trap, whenever rain falls.
“The bridge is deadly to the extent that the flood on the decking carries motorists with their vehicles, and many residents have drowned in the canal. A well-constructed bridge and a proper drainage system is needed to control the flood,” he said.
When contacted, the Ogun State Commissioner of Works, Adebowale Akinsanya, did not respond to texts and calls as of the time of filing this report.
