Ogun State Issues Third Flood Alert as Oyan Dam Water Release Threatens Riverbank Communities

The Ogun State Government has issued its third flood alert for the year, urgently warning residents of communities along riverbanks and wetlands to relocate to safer grounds immediately. The alert comes as the state braces for an inevitable overflow of the Ogun River, expected to last from October 20 to November 3.

The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the advisory, explaining that the imminent overflow is primarily due to the controlled release of water from the Oyan Dam. This action was necessitated by heavy rainfall from the northern parts of the country, which significantly increased the water volume flowing into the dam. Rising tidal levels are also expected to worsen the situation.

Communities identified as high-risk and urged to prepare for evacuation include densely populated areas such as Akute, Alagbole, Isheri, Magboro, Makogi, Orimerunmu, Iro, and Kajola, as well as various parts of the state capital, Abeokuta, including Lafenwa, Enugada, and Iberekodo.

Commissioner Oresanya stressed that residents living near the riverbank should steer clear of the watercourse, while those in wetland areas should temporarily move to higher elevation to safeguard their lives and property. He also appealed to fish farmers in the affected zones to harvest their stock promptly to prevent substantial losses.

While assuring residents that the government, in collaboration with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority, has taken proactive measures like continuous dredging to ease the pressure, Oresanya noted that the state’s geography as a gateway for water discharge from Northern Nigeria makes it highly susceptible to these seasonal occurrences. He, however, expressed optimism that the water levels would begin to recede within ten days.