Following torrential rainfall and heavy flooding, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Dr Mukail Aremu Akinde has warned staff members and students of the institution living off-campus to stay away from flood-prone areas of the town.
He gave the warning while conducting an assessment of flood-ravaged areas of the ancient town largely inhabited by students after last Friday and Saturday downpours.
While commiserating with those who lost valuable goods and property to the unfortunate incident, the Rector charged the students to henceforth stop renting houses in areas prone to flooding such as riverside, adding that those who are presently in such areas should relocate to safer places.
The Rector, according to a statement issued by Mr. Sola Abiala, Deputy Registrar, Public Relations, stated that the advice became imperative given the impending heavy rainfall in the coming months as predicted by relevant government agencies such as Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMet)and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Dr Akinde who gave personal donations to the affected students to take care of some of their immediate needs, enjoined relevant government agencies in charge of disaster relief, at both Federal and State levels, to come to the rescue of the affected students and staff members of the institution.
He also solicited similar gestures from other public-spirited groups and individuals within and outside the town to provide much-needed succour for the victims of last Friday’s flood in Ilaro.
To forestall further occurrence of this kind of incident, the Rector who lauded the past attempts of the state government at opening up streams and gorge channels in the town, called for the reactivation of such projects and reconstruction of the badly-damaged roads and bridges in the erosion and flood-prone areas of the town.
