Lagos State Government don alert residents and property owners wey dey stay along Ogun River banks to prepare to relocate to higher ground. Dis warning come as authorities of Ogun Osun River Basin Development Authority start staggered release of water from Oyan Dam.
According to Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, dey say dey dey collaborate with Ogun authorities to monitor de situation closely. Wahab talk say de dam’s annual operations dey informed by real-time hydrological data, rainfall predictions from Nigerian Meteorological Agency and flood outlooks from Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
Some residents of communities at Isheri, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, don already start to evacuate their homes since Saturday when dem notice gradual increase in de current of Ogun River. De water also overflow, spreading across areas wey be few metres away from de river bank.
Wahab explain say while de flooding experienced in dese areas often dey attributed solely to water released from Oyan Dam, dis not entirely de case. He say de downstream section of Ogun River dey influenced by complex network of over 52 tributaries, all of which converge and contribute to rising water levels in affected areas.
De government recognize de challenge faced by residents in affected communities which include Kara, Mile 12, Agiliti, Ikosi Ketu, Owode, Ajegunle, and Odo-Ogun. Dey also flag off dredging of Ogun River downstream from Ikorodu to Isheri axis to reduce flood risks and ensure free flow of water within de Ogun River system.
Wahab appeal to Lagosians to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places and to support de state government through regular clearing of drains in their frontages to ensure free-flow of stormwater.
