Residents of several riverine communities in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas of Ondo State have raised alarm over the growing blockage of waterways caused by heavy mud accumulation and overgrown water hyacinths, which have severely hampered water transportation and increased safety risks.
In their plea, the affected residents have called on the Special Assistant to the Governor on Pipeline Surveillance and Waterways Security, Hon. Engineer Alore Omosuyi, to urgently intervene and restore navigable routes across the creeks.
Speaking on the situation, community members expressed frustration as boats are now struggling to move through thick layers of mud and weeds, cutting off access to markets, schools, and health centers.
“This is beyond what we can manage on our own. We’re appealing to Hon. Engineer Alore Omosuyi to use his office to bring immediate dredging and clearance to our waterways,” said a local elder in Atijere.
The communities affected in Ilaje Local Government include Atijere and other riverine settlements, while in Ese-Odo Local Government, Ipoke, Ojuala, and Igbobini riverside communities are also facing similar challenges.
The residents emphasized that unless urgent action is taken to dredge the channels and remove the invading water hyacinths, the region could face a deeper crisis in mobility, trade, and emergency response.
They called for a coordinated intervention not only to clear the waterways but also to put in place sustainable measures to prevent reoccurrence, ensuring long-term safety and ease of transportation in the region.
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