Edo Govt visits, commiserates with family of 6-yr-old flood victim, Victoria

• …takes mother to hospital for treatment
• …to erect cautionary signs on dangerous spots

Members of the Edo State Executive Council have visited the family of late Victoria Oparanti, a 6-year-old pupil of New Generation Group of Schools, who was washed away by flood in the five-junction axis of Benin City, on her way back from school.

Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, who led the state government’s delegation to late Victoria’s home at Osama Lane, Wire Road, in Benin City, said that Governor Godwin Obaseki was deeply pained by the unfortunate incident, and extends his condolences to her parents and other members of her family.

He assured that preventive measures would be put in place in the area to forestall re-occurrence.

“The governor is touched by the unfortunate incident, as his responsibility as a governor is to protect lives and property in the state. We share in your grief as a government and are doing all to ensure that such does not happen again,” he said.

He assured that the state government is repositioning the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to respond faster to crises and emergencies, noting that in a few days’ time, the state will set up emergency call centers, for residents to contact government officials during emergency.

Ohonbamu said steps are already being taken to barricade the drainage and install signposts to notify people of potential danger while walking close to the drains.

Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Ms. Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, who was also in the entourage, condoled with the family, assuring that a search party is on the lookout for the child’s corpse.

“I want to assure you that the search to recover the body of your late daughter is on. The government will not rest until it is found. In a matter of days, we will provide road signs to notify people of potential danger and the existence of such large drains on the affected portions of the road.”

The delegation also visited Pa Omoruyi Idiaghe, the Okaidun of Iyesegie street, where the family resides, and consoled them over the unfortunate incident. Pa Idiaghe thanked the team for the visit, urging the state government to install the cautionary signs at the spot, to forestall future occurrence.

“This woman just moved to this area   a month ago. She is a very good woman, respectful and responsible. It is so painful that such happened to her,” he said.

The delegation later took the mother of the late Victoria, Mrs. Bright Oparanti, who sustained injuries while struggling with her daughter in the flood incident, to Specialist Hospital in Benin City, for treatment.

The delegation also includes Commissioner for Art, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora, Hon. Osazee Osemwegie-Ero; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie.

Late Victoria was in Kindergarten 3 at New Generation Group of Schools. Said to be well-behaved and amiable, she and her parents worship at Assemblies of God Church in the area.