OGUN STATE TELLS RESIDENTS ALONG RIVERBANK TO RELOCATE TO SAFER LOCATIONS
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By Shodayo Sunmisola Michael
The Ogun State Government has instructed inhabitants residing near riverbanks and flood-prone regions throughout the state to relocate to more secure locations.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, who promulgated the directive in the 2025 Ogun State Midterm Flood Alert, urged the populace to prepare for the second wave of flooding.
According to Oresanya, those impacted include residents of communities adjacent to the Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa, and Yemule Rivers, as well as areas such as Isheri, Warewa, Akute, portions of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, Iju, and those along the coastlines of Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara (Ogun Waterside), Ebute-Imobi (Ijebu East), Tungeji Island, and Agosasa in the Ipokia local government area.
He elaborated that the overflow, anticipated to persist for two weeks, typically occurs during the second phase of flooding between September and November each year.
The Commissioner further indicated that the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has forecasted that September will experience the highest precipitation of 204mm, followed by October at 190mm, while in November, the rainfall intensity is expected to diminish to 93mm.
“The people have to relocate to safer environment between the last week of this month and the second week of October because of the expected impact of overflow from these Rivers and sea water rise/tidal lock in their communities due to expected high rainfall and arrival of flow from the northern part of the country and neighbouring country like Benin to Ogun and Lagos State on the downstream. That of the Ogun River may be compounded by the release of water from Oyan Dam,” Oresanya stated.
He assured the inhabitants of these areas that the State Government, through its State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), is on high alert in case of any emergency evacuations and relocations to temporary emergency camps established across the state. The State Ministry of Environment is also collaborating closely with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority regarding the management of water release from Oyan Dam to mitigate its effects to the least possible extent.
Oresanya also advised residents in these communities to refrain from using boreholes and well water during this time, as they may be vulnerable to contamination due to the impending flooding and tidal fluctuations.
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He similarly took the opportunity to recommend that fish farmers operating on flood plains of rivers and streams statewide harvest their fish to prevent loss due to flooding. Fish farmers in Eriwe and Yemule, as well as in Ilase and Ayegbami in Yewa, are urged to act promptly on this advice.
In expressing gratitude to the state’s residents for their understanding regarding all environmental matters, particularly regarding the annual flood alert, he commended them for their cooperation with the state government over the past six years, which has significantly mitigated flooding and its effects statewide. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to implementing measures aimed at achieving a flood-free environment.
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