One person was confirmed dead on Tuesday after a flooded Ureje bridge along Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital collapsed.

Tribune Online gathered that four persons were said to have drowned in the bridge already overflown by water on Monday night. Three others were also rescued and receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state capital.

Our correspondent who moved around Ado-Ekiti metropolis observed that other areas such as Eminrin, Ajilosun, Omisanjana and Adekaitan were also affected by the flood.

The Ureje bridge became flooded after a torrential downpour that began around 7.30pm and lasted till 9pm on Monday.

For several hours, the collapse of the bridge hindered human and vehicular movements of residents and travellers.

Tribune Online observed that early on Tuesday, the water level was so high that commuters traveling to Afe Babalola University, Federal Polytechnic and to Ikare Akoko in Ondo State and those coming into the state capital, had to park their vehicles and waited for several hours before the water subsided for them move.

A resident of the area , Mr. Sunday Akomolafe explained that the victim and three women were coming from Abuja and wanted to navigate the water only for them to be overwhelmed by flood.

“Three of them were rescued and taken to the hospital but the man was not all that lucky, he drowned in water and his corpse was recovered around 8am this morning, ” he said.

Also speaking, another resident, Mr Tunde Olajuwon called on the state and the federal government to help in constructing the damaged bridge.

He said,” Sometime last month, we had this kind of flood that affected part of the bridge which was well reported in the media. I think I even saw the pictures of the bridge in your newspaper with the hope that government will come here and do something.We did not see them.

” Here we are now, the bridge has collapsed and I believe that is what the government want because we have been crying for help for a very long time. We need government assistance now.”

The Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, who visited the scene appealed for calm, saying the state government would ensure that the bridge is put back to proper shape.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Caleb Ikechukwu confirmed the death.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that one man died after he was drowned in water. His corpse had been removed and taken to the mortuary, ” he said.

The Special Adviser on Road Transport and Infrastructure to Governor Kayode Fayemi, Hon. Adunmo Rufus, who was at the bridge supervising the palliative works being done, said the disconnected section would soon be reconnected.

According to him, “We are embarking on palliative works till dry season when the road will be awarded. What we need here is a new bridge that can accommodate more water. 60/60 bridge is no longer fashionable. We are piling stones and granites on the collapsed lane.

” We are going to open one lane for commuters and motorists to use pending the time the palliative measures will end that will put the second lane back.It is going to be for light vehicles, because we are going to mount restriction.” (NIGERIAN TRIBUNE)

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