Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
The Ogun State government has warned residents in 16 out of its 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to prepare for potential flooding due to intense rainfall predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, issued the warning on Thursday, listing affected LGAs such as Ijebu-Ode, Ota, Sagamu, Abeokuta, Ifo, and Ijebu-East, among others. He urged residents in these areas to relocate to avoid the dangers of flash floods.
According to NiMet’s forecast, rainfall intensity in Ogun State this year is expected to range between 965mm and 1,805mm. Oresanya, however, assured citizens that the Dapo Abiodun-led administration is committed to mitigating the effects of flooding.
“In the past five years, 988.3km of rivers, streams, and drainage channels have been de-silted, while 698m of concrete drainages and culverts of various cross-sections have been constructed,” the commissioner stated.
He further disclosed that the state government is set to create more tributaries for Ogun rivers and complete the dredging of Opa Aro River, with work set to begin in April.
“The first phase will involve the de-silting of the Banku River to Majidun/Mawere,” he added.
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Oresanya highlighted the impact of previous flood control measures, stating that flood retention time in affected areas has already been reduced from an annual average of six weeks to three weeks in 2024.
“This positive impact is the result of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s approval for the dredging of Opa Aro River as a proof-of-concept project to mitigate flooding in Isheri community,” he noted.
He also advised residents in Warewa, Isheri, Akute, Oke-Afa, Owa, Yemule, Ifara, Ebute Oni, Onihale, Makun, Iwopin, Ebute-Imobi, Ayede-Ayinla, Ifara, Igele, and other flood-prone areas to relocate to safer locations.
Additionally, Oresanya urged motorists and road users to avoid crossing flooded roads and warned Community Development Associations (CDAs) against building on natural water runoff routes or disposing of waste in drainage channels, rivers, and streams.
He emphasized that environmental hazards caused by human activities significantly contribute to flooding and called for collective action to mitigate its impact.