LAGOS GOVT ALERTS RESIDENTS OF OGUN RIVER BANKS OF WATER RELEASE FROM OYAN DAM

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The Lagos State Government has issued a warning to residents and property owners along the banks of the Ogun River, urging them to be prepared to relocate to higher grounds. This comes as the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) begins the staggered release of water from the Oyan Dam.

During a press briefing on Thursday at Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized the importance of alerting Lagosians about the release, which is crucial for maintaining the dam’s structural integrity and safeguarding its socio-economic value to Lagos State.

Wahab explained that the dam’s operations are based on real-time hydrological data, as well as rainfall predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and flood outlooks from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). These data sources guide water release decisions to ensure flood control while preserving the dam’s integrity.

Acknowledging concerns raised by communities near the Ogun River, Wahab stated that OORBDA operates the dam in compliance with strict safety protocols to mitigate flood risks and prevent structural damage. He revealed that the total water released from the dam this year, as of October 12, 2024, stands at 1,484.2 million cubic meters (mcm), still below the average annual flow volume of 1,770 mcm.

Wahab further noted that despite significant rainfall across the Oyan River catchment area, which totaled 984.1 mm this year, it remains lower than the 1,540.8 mm recorded last year and is still within safe operational limits. He added that the dam’s four radial gates, capable of releasing up to 2,271 cubic meters per second (m³/s), are currently discharging water at a controlled rate of 208 m³/s, with only two gates operating at 12% capacity each.

According to Wahab, 62.1% of the dam’s flood control capacity remains available, and there is no immediate risk of excessive water being released beyond safe limits. He credited the ongoing collaboration between the Lagos State Government and OORBDA for ensuring this controlled water management.

The Commissioner highlighted the challenges faced by residents of flood-prone communities, including Kara, Mile 12, Agiliti, Ikosi Ketu, Owode, Ajegunle, and Odo-Ogun, and reassured them that the government is closely monitoring the situation.

Lagosians in these areas have been advised to stay informed and ready for possible evacuation if water levels rise further.

“However, I want to emphasise that while the flooding experienced in these areas has often been attributed solely to water released from the Oyan Dam, this is not entirely the case; In reality, the downstream section of the Ogun River is influenced by a complex network

of over 52 tributaries, all of which converge and contribute to rising water levels in the affected areas”.

Lagos Government Addresses Flood Risks, Urges Residents to Maintain Clean Drains

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has highlighted the significant impact of tributaries and rain-induced runoff on flooding in the region, emphasizing the importance of these factors in flood management strategies.

To mitigate flood risks and ensure the smooth flow of water within the Ogun River system, the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) has initiated dredging operations along the Ogun River, specifically from the Ikorodu to Isheri axis, including areas such as Ajelogo, Owode-Elede, and Ajegunle. This action follows the water release that took place on September 13, 2024.

Wahab reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining its long-standing partnership with OORBDA, which has been instrumental in managing and monitoring the controlled release of water from the Oyan Dam to prevent flooding in downstream communities. He assured the public that the state government would closely monitor the situation and collaborate with relevant agencies and affected communities to address humanitarian concerns, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and people living with disabilities.

Additionally, Wahab reported that the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang, part of the Drainage Maintenance Department, has been actively de-silting and maintaining secondary drainage systems to enhance their efficiency and act as retention basins as part of statewide flood prevention measures.

He urged Lagosians to refrain from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorized areas, throwing plastic bottles on roads, and obstructing drains with construction materials. He also cautioned against erecting structures within drainage rights of way and discharging human waste into canals, which contributes to high siltation and vegetation growth that block water flow.

Wahab called on residents to report drainage blockages and illegal waste dumping to Resident Engine