Officials of the Edo State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have assessed the damage caused by flash floods in parts of Benin City, on Saturday, noting that the government is fast tracking efforts to mitigate the incidence of the menace in the affected areas.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon, who addressed journalists during a tour of areas affected by the flash floods, said the state government sympathises with those affected, assuring that succour would come with the completion of ongoing gully erosion and flood control projects across the state.

He urged residents in affected areas to abide by government regulations emplaced to check the trend, adding that the state will not relent in its commitment to complete ongoing flood control projects.

The governor’s aide noted that the state government is desilting drains as part of measures to check the menace of flooding in the state.

He commended officials of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and the Fire Service who were among the first responders to rescue victims who were trapped in their homes by the flash floods.

Areas worst hit by the Saturday flooding include the Infant Jesus-axis of Etete; Eghighalo Edosomwan on Ugbor Road; Ofunmwegbe community along Second East Circular Road, where residents were trapped and unable to leave their homes.

The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency in February predicted intense flooding as the rains intensified but the emergency responders said the flooding was caused by indiscriminate construction of buildings and dumping of refuse on flood paths.