Flood: Ogun to Demolish Buildings on Drainage Channels

James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, said that buildings erected on water drainage channels  at Isheri, a border community between Lagos and Ogun State, would be demolishes.

Abiodun also stressed the need for drainage master plan in the area located in Ifo Local Government Area of the state to address longstanding drainage issues that is responsible for incessant flooding in the area.

The governor disclosed the plan after inspecting the flooded community, which was his second visit to the ravaged area in 48 hours. He said that many houses were constructed on drainage channel.

The governor inspected the flooded community and accompanied by the Minister of State, Environment and Sanitation, Dr. Isiaq Salako, and Minister of Water Resources, Professor Joseph Utsev.

Abiodun appreciated President Bola Tinubu for responding swiftly to his government’s call in finding immediate solution to the flooding problem.

He pointed out that a well-designed drainage master plan and proper channelisation of rivers would save the region from excess water flow and prevent it from affecting the resident.

Speaking at the event, Salako and Utsev said that the federal government was concerned about flooding incidents not only in Ogun State, but in other parts of the country.

 Salako noted that plans were on the way to find a permanent solution to the perennial flooding always experienced by the Isheri community.

He explained that President Bola Tinubu was aware of the problems and had been proactive in addressing the problems.

He said: “The president is aware of this problem. He fully understand where the problem is and he has been very proactive in addressing the problem saying, he is aware that the problem is topmost in the heart of the state governor. I believe that we will find a permanent solution to the problem.”

Salako stated the need to undertake a comprehensive study in order to understand what needed to be done in order to proffer a solution.

“We should understand what we need to do with Ogun River, the dams, how do we ensure that we expand our drainages and lift our roads and our people to change their habit and be more environmentally responsible,” he said.

The minister, who noted that the problems were multi-faceted, opined that the result of climate change experiencing globally could not be reversed, saying there was need to be environmentally responsible.

He noted that building on drainages, blocked drainages and improper disposal of wastes were also factors responsible for flooding.

“I want to assure you that with the commitment of the President, the proactiveness that the governor has demonstrated, there will be a permanent solution. f Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is fully aware of the challenges and will do the needful in terms of palliatives,” he said.

Also speaking, Prof. Utsev, noted that the president had always been proactive and ready to solve flooding issues across the country.

He stated that the FG had set up a committee that was working entirely on different challenges of Nigeria.

The minister noted that the committee was made up of different experts who were working round the clock to find solution to the problems.

“A team already sent to assess the flooding situation in Isheri, they have gone round and have observed salient challenges.

“We are providing solution to flooding in the entire Nigeria, not only in Ogun. We believe that the solution has come,” he said.

Utsev sympathised with the victims of the flood, saying that the federal government would do the needful as soon as possible.

Mr. Akintola Omigbodun, who spoke on behalf of the Resident Association of Isheri North Community, appreciated the governor and the federal government for showing concern to the plight of the people.

He pleaded for immediate solution to the flooding challenges in the community.