Residents in multiple communities in Magboro, Ogun State, are urgently appealing to the government for assistance as they grapple with severe flooding that has brought socio-economic activities in the area to a standstill.The flood crisis unfolded after a relentless downpour began on Wednesday and continued until the early hours of Thursday, leaving numerous homes and businesses in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area severely affected.Reports indicate that the flooding caused major roads connecting the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to be submerged, leaving residents of Sparklight and Redstar estates, Powerline, Cele, Gasline, and Oke-Afa communities stranded on Thursday. Although the floodwater at the main gate leading to Sparklight Estate had receded by Friday morning, the back gate linking Oke-Afa Road remained flooded, rendering it impassable for motorists and motorcyclists.John Akinyemi, a resident of the affected area, expressed his distress over the situation, stating that he was unable to go to work on Thursday due to the magnitude of the flood. He described the water reaching waist level for those who attempted to traverse it, emphasizing the danger of being swept away. Akinyemi highlighted the disruption caused to his family’s daily routine, with his daughter unable to attend school and his wife unable to reach her workplace.In Redstar Housing Estate, the main roads remained submerged, forcing residents to navigate through the floodwater. The situation was no different in Oke-Afa, Ilupeju, Olowofela, and Kajola communities, where the flood prevented children, shop owners, and business operators from venturing outside. Some residents resorted to using commercial canoes to travel across the water, while others reported exorbitant fees charged by the canoe operators, exacerbating their frustration.Ben Owiadolor, another resident, expressed disappointment in Governor Dapo Abiodun, claiming that the governor had made promises to address the flooding issue during his re-election campaign but had failed to fulfill them. Owiadolor pointed out the hazardous conditions faced by children and the extent of the flooding, with water levels reaching beyond the knees and up to the waist. He highlighted the community’s efforts to raise the land level in the past but noted that they had been in vain.Kolawole Popoola, the Secretary of the Magboro Area Community Development Council, stressed the urgency of the situation, as the rainy season had just begun and further downpours were anticipated. He called on the government to clear the drains, particularly those obstructed by empty bottles and plastics, as a temporary measure to alleviate the residents’ plight. Popoola also mentioned specific companies that had blocked drains, exacerbating the flooding. He expressed the hope that the situation would not worsen with heavy rainfall in the coming days, as it would exacerbate the already dire circumstances faced by the affected communities.Given the severity of the crisis, the residents’ appeals underscore the immediate need for government intervention to address the flooding and provide relief to the affected communities.