By Abdullahi Lukman
The Ogun State government has issued a flood alert to residents living along riverbanks and wetland areas, warning them to prepare for possible overflow from the Ogun River within the next two weeks.
In a statement released Monday, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the warning follows the anticipated controlled release of water from the Oyan Dam.
This release is due to increased water inflow caused by heavy rainfall from northern parts of the country, compounded by a rise in tidal levels.
Communities expected to be affected include Akute, Alagbole, Isheri, Magboro, Makogi, Orimerunmu, Iro, Kajola, and parts of Abeokuta such as Lafenwa, Enugada, Adedotun, Iberekodo, Akin-Olugbade, and Ago-Odo.
Oresanya urged residents in these areas to avoid the riverbanks and, where necessary, relocate to higher ground to prevent loss of lives and property.
He assured the public that the state government, in collaboration with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority, has been dredging and opening tributaries to reduce the impact of the overflow.
He noted that while over 17,000 million litres of water per day were released during the same period last year, this year’s controlled release is about 12,000 million litres per day—despite continued rainfall—reflecting a more cautious approach.
Residents were advised not to panic, as the water level is expected to recede within ten days.