Tragedy occurred at the Oregbeni area of Edo State on Monday when a woman with her baby on her back died of electrocution while struggling through flood water in the area on her way home.
According to the state Government owned media, Edo Broadcasting Service, EBS, the woman and the baby remained trapped inside the flood water until Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC switched off the power supply to the area, the delay, further lost the chances of rescuing the victims.
The media added that the woman was going home with two of her children, but at the bad spot filled with flood water, luck came through for one of the children when a man decided to help the woman by taking one of the kids through another route to escape the flood water.
The Electricity company, BEDC is yet to issue a statement over the cause of the electrocution leading to avoidable deaths.
EBS reported that the young woman and her baby trapped on her back were electrocuted when she stepped on a live electricity cable that fell from a pole while wadding through the flooded road.
Edo State Government agency in charge of flood water control and management, Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, EdoFEWMA had in a statement said the state government is removing obstructions from the drainages to ensure the flood water ways are free before the peak of this year rainy season in the state.
In some of the news releases issued and made available by the EdoFEWMA reads verbatim below:
“For the first time in over three decades, residents of the Erhunmwunse and House of prayer in Iwogban Community are witnessing a transformation that they thought would never come to their area where a massive gully has been reclaimed by the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (EdoFEWMA), opening a brand-new road that has been absent for nearly 30 years, and dramatically easing traffic congestion along the busy Ikpoba Hill.
The newly constructed road connects Temboga through Erhunmwunse to House of Prayer to Lucky Way, providing an alternative route for motorists heading to Aduwawa and other parts of Benin City.
The reclaimed road is also offering a renewed hope to thousands of commuters along the axis.
The Governor’s swift action not only restored access to the Community, but also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equitable infrastructure development across the State.
EdoFEWMA also urges residents to protect and maintain the newly constructed road and drainage channels built to tackle flood and erosion.
This development is expected to significantly decongest traffic around the Ikpoba Hill bottleneck and Oregbeni Market, long known for their gridlocks and difficult driving conditions.
Governor Okpebholo’s delivery of this long-abandoned road marks a significant step forward in addressing erosion, improving mobility, and enhancing urban resilience.
His administration has proven that with focused leadership, even the most neglected areas can experience renewal.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (EdoFEWMA), Honourable Ahmed Musa Momoh, has continued his intensive inspection of ongoing desilting and maintenance of floodwater infrastructure across the State, emphasising the Agency’s dedication to ensuring all interventions are executed to the highest standard and ahead of peak rainfall.
Honourable Momoh’s most recent inspection tour covered critical sites including Urora Ponds 1 to 3, Urora CIG site, Erhunmwunse, Mama custom and Boundary Streets in Iwogban, the Ewah Road erosion control site, and Gapiona Pond 5.
These visits form part of his sustained efforts to closely monitor project execution, ensure adherence to specifications, and uphold accountability in the use of public resources.
Speaking during the visits, Honourable Momoh emphasized the importance of Community cooperation, urging residents to take ownership of the infrastructure provided to mitigate flooding. “Our resources are limited, and the sustainability of these investments depends on the commitment of residents to protect and preserve them,” he said.
He further stated that the proactive and people-focused leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo remains deeply committed to easing the challenges of flooding and erosion through strategic interventions.
“This Government listens, and we are doing everything possible to safeguard lives and properties. What we need is your continuous support,” Momoh added”.