Residents Count Losses, As Rain Wreaks Havoc In Ekiti
Residents of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital Sunday lamented the
havoc wreaked on the town by an early morning rain which destroyed
buildings and some public infrastructure.
A terrible wind that shook buildings, shops and others structures to
their foundation which caused a stir among residents of the town had
preceded the heavy downpour which started around 2.00am on Sunday.
The blackout being experienced in some parts the state capital may
have been compounded by the development as checks by our correspondent
showed that electric poles and high-tension wires were felled by the
wind which accompanied the torrential rainfall.
Mostly affected were the Old Garage/Okeyinmi and Ajebandele areas of
the capital City.
Fences, walls of buildings were felled while the roofs of many public
and private buildings were blown off by the wind.
As at 10am yesterday, electric poles and wires were seen across the
road in the affected areas, which mildly affected commercial
activities and halted vehicular movements.
Anisulowo hotel in Ajilosun area of the city, and some buildings
within the premises of Fabotas College of Health Sciences, a
privateinstitution on Ikere Road in Ado-Ekiti were among many other
buildings that had their roofs blown off in the course of the rain.
Residents and transporters among others lamented the tragic
development and called on government to urgently get rid of the poles
and wires that scattered across the road.
They also blamed contractors who erected the electricity poles for
allegedly doing shoddy jobs.
A passer-by, Yemi Oguntoyinbo while commenting on the incident said,
“If they have done the poles very well, it is possible that the rain
would not destroy it. You can see now that the rain has exposed them
with this development.”
Another resident, Dada Olutayo who had his rented apartment’s wall
fell by the wind, said: “when the terrible wind blew violently early
this morning, we suspected that it would cause havoc and that is what
has happened now. We appeal to government to urgently remove the
electricity poles and cables across the road so that it doesn’t cause
problem when the power people brings the light. I am sure that. With
what has happened to the cables and poles, electricity problem in the
areas affected would linger for very long time. It has been a usual
thing.”
