Rainstorm wreak havoc in Akure as residents beg govt for assistance

Several houses and properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed by rainstorm after a heavy downpour that occurred at the weekend in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

Not less than 20 houses were damaged by the rainfall which begun on Friday evening with partial effect till Sunday morning.

Many residents affected by the incident have already called on the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu led state government to intervene as the degree of damage was beyond their individual capabilities.

It was observed that the rainstorm that lasted more than three hours damaged electric installations with poles and wires and also destroyed building roofs.

Mostly affected by the incident were aged people who own private apartments at the Gaga community in Akure South local government area of the state.

The rainstorm also destroyed shops and blown off roof of churches in the agrarian community as landlords and tenants counted their losses coupled with the shock that emanated from the disaster.

Vehicles belonging to residents of the community were also trapped by the erosion caused by the heavy rainfall with owners calling for assistance.

The effect of the heavy rainstorm has thrown the people of the community into darkness as the some electric poles supplying electricity to the area were badly damaged and even uprooted from their space by the windstorm.

The head of landlord association in the community, Oluwole Omotosho, said the people of the area need government urgent attention to their plight.

Mr. Omotosho also begged for the quick assistance of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for relief materials.

He said they also look forward to assistance from any quarters of the society to alleviate the sufferings they are presently passing through.