Residents at Gege area of Ibadan have called on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde to save them from untimely deaths caused by deep ditch along Gege River.
The area is located in Ibadan South West Local Council of the state.
The residents lamented that the ditch near the river, which is behind the popular Gege meat market has claimed several lives of unsuspecting passers-by, who fell into it because it is covered with all manners of waste.
While disclosing that corpses of victims surfaced three or four days later, the residents called on Governor Makinde to visit the area and do something urgently to avert more deaths.
The residents noted that about nine people have fallen victim to the incident, five of which were buried by the river side.
The Guardian also gathered that the Chairman of Ibadan West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Tajudeen Adigun, recently visited the area and promised to call the attention of the State authorities to the problem, but nothing has been done since.
It was learnt that Adigun’s visit coincided with the floating of a young female corpse trapped inside the river for three days.
To stem the tide of accidental deaths, the community has erected a temporary barricade with red and white ribbon around the spot to call the attention of passers-by to the danger.
Speaking on the issue, 60-year-old resident, Alhaja Mujidatu pleaded with the Governor to assist the people.
“Our Governor should come to our aid. As a mother, it is very sad to be witnessing the death of young and agile men in this River.
“We voted for Governor Makinde and now that we have a problem, he should reciprocate by helping us out. Let him visit us, we will tell him what is happening,” she said.
Another resident, Akinade Kehinde, said the problem started some years ago when a ditch as deep as a storey building was discovered inside the river.
“As young as I am, I have witnessed the burial of some victims by the river side. Our appeal goes to Governor Seyi Makinde to please help us remove the dilapidated concrete in the middle of the river, close up the ditch and ensure free flow of water as a first step. Then he should do proper channelisation like it has been done for Ogunpa River,” she pleaded.
Responding, Media Adviser to Governor Makinde, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju said: “The government is aware of the situation and is making all efforts to fix it. The issue, however, is that the government cannot fix all problems at the same time owing to paucity of funds.
“Currently, work is ongoing on a number of roads in the city of Ibadan. As soon as these are completed, the government will move to other areas. “It is very likely that the Gege area will be one of the beneficiaries. So, the people just need to be patient, it will soon be their turn to experience Governor Makinde’s wonder.”
