BENIN CITY – The premises of Sunrise Guest House, a lodging and accommodation outfit, located at 15, Ogba Road, by Ogiesoba junction, along Airport Road in Benin City was, yesterday, submerged in flood as a result of faulty erosion control measures by SERVETEK, the construction firm handling the dualisation of Airport Road, following yesterday’s afternoon rains.
Investigations by The NIGERIAN OBSERVER revealed that it was the third time the premises would be overrun by flood within one week as the same fate had befallen the management of the guest house as well as residents of neighbouring Ogiesoba Street in the preceding week.
Speaking to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER over the unfortunate event, the Manager of Sunrise Guest House, Mr. Sunny Aigbovbiosa decried the incident and particularly expressed sadness that inspite of the fact that the attention of SERVETEK was drawn to the abnormality
, the construction firm paid deaf ears.
On the extent of damage the flood had caused the guest house, Mr. Aigbovbiosa explained that besides the drastic fall in patronage and the high risk to the lives of the workers, virtually all the gadgets and equipment in the guest house had been destroyed, including the charlets, air conditioners, refrigerators, properties of those who had lodged in the guest house as well as the vehicles packed within the premises.
“The work has been dislodged. We have all been sacked. The lives of our clients have been threatened.
“As you can see for yourself, this place is completely submerged in flood and SERVETEK, the architect of this misfortune is paying deaf ears. I am calling on concerned authorities to please do something about this to save our lives and business outlet”, the manager said.
Contacted for comments, the site contractor who initially declined to comment, later blamed the Ministry of Works and Environment for withholding approval to undertake the underground drainage system, and expressed disappointment at the way officials of the ministry have compounded the problems of the erosion control for them.
As at the time of filing this report, feeble efforts were being made by some workers of SERVETEK, led by the site engineer to salvage the flood, but it was doubtful whether anything meaningful would come out of their efforts as they looked dispirited and confused about what to do.
Sunrise Guest House, following the incessant flood that had been directed into their premises may need to close business for some time, if something urgent is not done to salvage the premises quickly.
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