The Ogun State government has advised residents living in the recently flooded and flood-prone areas along Ogun River to relocate from the areas.
Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye in a statement issued in Abeokuta yesterday said “the Ogun State Government wishes to draw the attention of the public to the recent river-flooding that has affected some areas in Ifo and Obafemi-Owode Local Government Areas, namely Kara, Isheri, Denro, Akute, Wawa and Warewa.
“It would be recalled that the state government had previously carried out sensitisation through media campaign and road shows to warn residents of these communities of the likelihood of flooding,
“This unfortunate incident is a direct consequence of the release of water from Oyan Dam by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), coupled with heavy flow of rivers that are tributaries to Ogun River and failure of the affected residents to heed government’s warnings”, he added.
Oyeleye therefore advised those living in the affected areas and other flood prone areas along Ogun River to relocate to safer grounds to forestall loss of lives.
He urged residents to imbibe good environmental practices, such as desisting from erecting buildings on flood planes/run-off routes and blocking the drainage channels in front of their premises.
They were also advised to alert the state government of any impending disaster that may arise from river-flooding in these areas.
“Finally, the state government will work in conjunction with other federal government related agencies to provide succour to the affected communities”, Oyeleye added.