FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REITERATES COMMITMENT TO END FLOODING IN ISHERI AND ENVIRONS.
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to end flooding in the Isheri areas of Ogun and Lagos States, and environs.
The Managing Director/ CEO, Ogun - Oshun River Basin Development Authority, Otunba Engr. Olufemi Olayemi Odumosu, FNIWE, FANHS made this known at a joint Press Conference on Ogun State Flood Alert organized by the Authority and the Ogun State Ministry of Environment on 30th April, 2024 at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Oke - Mosan, Abeokuta.
Odumosu said the Federal Government through the Authority has provided for channelization of the areas in its 2024 budget in order to solve flooding problem in the areas. The Managing Director disclosed that the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) presented by the Hon. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev,FNSE and supported by the Hon. Minister of State, Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq and the Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security, predicted that about 447 communities are vulnerable, 3,847,200 population are at risk in Lagos while 1,261,400 populace are at risk and 1,386 Communities are vulnerable in Ogun State, the highest in Nigeria.
He said in mitigating the flooding this year, the Authority will do everything humanly possible, through gradual and systematic release of water from Oyan Dam while urging all stakeholders to also take precaution measures to mitigate seasonal flooding this year.
The Managing Director who assured of continued synergy with the Ogun State Government and all stakeholders in solving flooding downstream informed the gathering that the Oyan Dam is never the cause of flooding downstream rather it helps to mitigate it as the only gated tributery out of the fifteen that discharged water into the Ogun River.
Earlier in his address, the Hon. Commissioner for Environment, Ogun State Mr Ola Oresanya give kudos to the Executive Governor of the State, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON for initiating the Annual Ogun State Flood Alert which has yielded fruitful results.
The Honourable Commissioner based on the Annual Flood Outlook, enjoined residents of the state living on wetland areas to relocate to safer ground or create a higher elevation within their residence before the commencement of the rain. He also urged farmers in the State to start planting from now while also enjoining fish farmers to harvest before the peak of the raining season which is in July.
Mr Oresanya said the Ogun State Government has taken various measures to cushion the devastating effects of flooding in the affected areas of the state while also thanking the Federal Government for its palliative support to the people of the affected area in the state. He thanked the Ogun - Oshun RBDA for being a worthy partner in solving seasonal flooding in the state.
The Press Conference was also attended by the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Governor of the State, Mr Kayode Akinmade, the Permanent Secretary Ogun State Ministry of Environment, Mr Sam Oyeleye, representative of Oke Afa, Ibafo, Ifedapo, Isheri City View Communities and others.
