The Lagos State Government on Wednesday allayed the fears of residents over the release of water from Oyan Dam.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, spoke after touring areas that could be affected.
Wahab, who spoke with newsmen after the tour on Wednesday, however, insisted that property owners and residents of low lying areas must relocate to high grounds as the water is systemically released.
He said: “I would like to appeal to the property owners and residents around Ajegunle, Itowolo and other low lying areas to relocate to higher ground.
“This is emotional, but life matters a lot.
“It has been observed that most buildings in Itowolo and environs are constructed along the plains of the Ogun River.
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“Water will never leave for you.
“It will always find its way.”
Wahab explained that the Ministry had engaged in massive advocacy in respect to the release of water in the past few weeks, urging residents not to compromise their safety and properties.
He said the government is concerned about the sanitary situation of the neighbourhoods as residents practice open defecation and other unsanitary activities into the open water, adding that this is unwholesome and will result in serious negative impacts thereafter.
He reiterated that the State Government fully recognises the challenges faced by residents of the affected communities and empathises with them because they are taxpayers.
He informed that the state government has awarded some drainage construction projects to mitigate the effects of the flooding.
Wahab added that the team was visiting Isheri North GRA for the second time in 12 months, promising that the government will get a final solution and the suggestion by residents to dredge a particular canal would be effectively executed.
He recalled that in an effort to reduce the flood and ensure the free flow of water within the Ogun River system, Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, the Ogun State Government recently commenced the dredging of the Ogun River downstream from the Ikorodu to Isheri axis: Ajelogo, Owode-Elede, Ajegunle, and deck-on-pile of Itowolo Bridge.
He noted that over 52 tributaries discharge into the Lagos lagoon, which is a major contributor to prevalence of flooding and appreciated the Federal Government for awarding the Ogun River downstream project, saying the two states of Lagos and Ogun would continue to collaborate on ways to resolve the issue permanently.
He added that as part of measures to prevent flooding in the axis and environs, there is an ongoing extensive construction of 3.7km outfall Channel and secondary collectors on Gberigbe Road, which cut across Abule Eko/Ijede/Igbopa-London Road in Ikorodu jointly by the State and Federal Governments.
During the tour, the team also visited Primate Oshibajo Road, Agbede Transformer/Omolaiye community Ikorodu to find a lasting solution to the erosion experienced in the area, informing that the drainage contract that will solve the problem has already been awarded.
Wahab said: “Agbede case is such a very unfortunate one because before now, the government had constructed a massive drainage infrastructure in a school as an intervention so that storm water can discharge to the nearby natural stream effectively, but it has proved not to be enough.
“Graciously, Mr. Governor has approved the second leg of the drainage system construction, which would commence immediately as the contractor is expected to move to site in a few weeks.”
He assured the residents that the contractor would move to site very soon in order to construct another major secondary collector to complement the existing one so that storm water can discharge appropriately into the stream without delay.
Wahab added that the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure would also be invited to construct proper road infrastructure in that neighbourhood. saying with these measures, flooding will be a thing of the past in the community and environs.
The Special Adviser on the Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, who accompanied the Commissioner, urged Lagosians not to entertain fears because the State Government would continue to map out strategies to contain flooding that may be experienced at any point in time.
Rotimi-Akodu advised residents to always be safety conscious, appealing to those in low lying areas to relocate to higher grounds.
Also on the team was the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, and some Directors from the Ministry.
Places visited included Majidun, Itowolo, Ketu, Gberigbe Road, Abule Eko/Ijede/Igbopa-London Road, Primate Oshibajo Road, Agbede Transformer Ikorodu; Owode-Elede, Owode-Onirin, Ajegunle and Isheri-North GRA.
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