The Ogun State government has issued a flood alert to residents living in flood-prone areas as the rainy season commences. Ola Oresanya, the Commissioner for Environment, conveyed this message during a press conference held in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Tuesday.
Citing a warning from the Federal Government to 31 states, including Ogun State, about impending flooding between April and November, Oresanya emphasized the need for precautionary measures. He highlighted that 16 out of the 20 local government areas in the state are expected to experience the highest rainfall, with some areas projected to receive over 1700mm of rainfall.
Residents residing in wetland areas were advised to consider relocating to safer ground or elevating their residences to mitigate the risk of flooding. Oresanya also provided guidance for agricultural activities, urging farmers to commence planting early and cautioning against stocking density for poultry businesses during the stress period.
In preparation for the heavy rainfall, the state government has embarked on extensive desilting of drainage channels, rivers, and streams to prevent destruction of life and property. Oresanya outlined the government’s initiatives, including the construction of drainage channels, mini bridges, culverts, and desilting of watercourses across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Furthermore, the government is collaborating with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to manage water release from dams, such as the Ikere Gorge Dam and Oyan Dam, to minimize the impact of flooding in wetland areas.