Flooding: Ogun residents told to relocate

 Residents of Mowe, Isheri, Akute, Mowe, Ibafo, Riverside Estate and other communities situated in-between Ogun and Lagos states have been advised to relocate.

The Ogun State Government asked them to temporarily relocate to avoid loss of lives and property due to flooding.

According to the state government, the areas will experience “coastal flooding due to tidal lock of the Ogun River by Lagos Lagoon from the natural rise in sea-level, coupled with the possible release of excessive water from Oyan dam.”

Residents of these areas, the government said, “should be prepared to relocate temporarily from these areas during the second season of rainfall, if required.”

Other communities told to relocate are Alagbole, Warewa, Oke-Afa, Kara, Onihale and Ebute Kimobi among others.

Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya gave the warning when he addressed newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

Oresanya disclosed that the call for relocation became necessary following the prediction of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency on the 2023 flood alert in Ogun.

He alerted residents of Ogun to brace up for flash floods, saying the state is expecting 3,646mm of rainfall between April and November.

He recalled that Nigeria as a nation recorded the worst-ever flood incidents in 2022, killing over 600 people and displacing about 2.4 million others.

He charged residents of 23 other flood-prone communities to take urgent precautions to avoid the negative impact of flooding.

Oresanya cautioned residents to desist from building on water channels and placement of structures and containers or extension of business premises on top of drains.

He similarly alerted residents of Onikoko, Sokori and Arakanga areas in Abeokuta; Isaka Owode in Ado-Odo Ota; Ebute Kimobi in Ijebu East; Owa and Yemule riverbanks in Ijebu-Ode; Eruwuru in Sagamu; Owode, Igijo, Ilaro and Ijoko, to expect flash floods due to heavy rainfall within short periods.

Farmers are also advised to complete their harvest in August and to avoid farming and livestock rearing in flood-prone areas to prevent the adverse effect of flooding during the second rainy season of the year.