Ekiti warns residents to stay away from area affected by soil creep

The Ekiti state government has warned residents to steer clear of the Oke Agboona hill in Okemesi Ekiti, days after a soil creep was reported in the area.

Soil creep, also known as downhill creep, is a gradual downward progression of rock and soil as a result of prolonged pressure.

Residents were asked to stay at least 300 metres away from the hill over fears of a possible recurrence.

Kolapo Olusola, deputy governor of the state, issued the warning when he led a delegation to the area.

Although no life was lost in the incident, properties worth millions were said to have been swept away by the soil creep.

“Governor Fayose sent us here to commiserate with residents whose properties were destroyed by this large magnitude soil creep, there will be a meeting with stakeholders on how to mitigate its effects if the natural phenomenon occurs again in the future,” the deputy governor said.

“Experts have said there is likelihood of a re-ocurrence, though it’s painful that properties were lost and relocating is not expected to be easy, we need to adhere to their advice that we stay 300 metres away from the hill. Far beyond rituals and sacrifice, we have to hearken professional advice, obedience is better than sacrifice.”

Michael Gbadebo Adedeji, the Owa Ooye of Okemesi Ekiti, said the soil creep once took place a few decades ago.

“What happened on Thursday once happened in 1973 but nothing was done by the government then, the creep also occurred in recent times but not of this magnitude, I plead with your excellency to help us expand the mountain base (Eleyinmi),” he said.

“If the base is expanded and a channel is created, a channel is there already but needed to be expanded, once it is expanded, whenever a creep occurs, the water and debris will have a place to move to. As it is now, God forbid, if it happens before the expansion, it is most likely to be disastrous.”