Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has emphasized the importance of dredging and channelization of the Ogun River to mitigate the recurring flooding in the Isheri area and its surroundings. Governor Abiodun made these remarks during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, to his office in Abeokuta.
He acknowledged that water released from the Oyan Dam, which is managed by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, contributed to the flooding problem. Dams are typically built to manage water resources, provide irrigation, and control flooding, but in this case, the water flow has been a challenge. Additionally, the Ogun River requires proper channelization and desilting to ensure water can flow effectively and prevent overflow, which leads to flooding in the area.
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Governor Abiodun noted that this year’s flooding in the Isheri region has been particularly severe, disrupting the lives of residents and forcing them to seek refuge in various religious camps throughout the state. While the area is a floodplain, previous governments allocated land for development purposes. He expressed his administration’s commitment to addressing the root causes of the issue and finding solutions that can provide relief to residents without resorting to mass demolitions, as there are various establishments, warehouses, estates, businesses, and schools in the area.
The Governor stressed the need for road repairs in the affected areas and mentioned that the flooding issue is not localized, as it also involves water released from the Republic of Cameroon. He emphasized the urgency of engaging a consultant to conduct a thorough study and develop a comprehensive plan for a permanent and sustainable solution to the problem.
Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, informed the Governor about the federal government’s consideration of constructing buffer dams to control flooding in communities near the Ogun River. She mentioned discussions held at the Federal Executive Council meeting regarding the need for dams to act as buffers against flooding.
Dr. Edu also discussed the federal government’s plan to lift 50 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 42 months and eradicate poverty for all citizens by 2030 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. She expressed her concern over recent flooding across the country, which has exacerbated humanitarian crises and increased poverty levels. The minister indicated that the government has established various programs to address poverty and relief efforts and mentioned that she was in Ogun State to assess how the federal government can provide immediate relief to those affected by flooding.
Additionally, Dr. Edu discussed the Ogun State Social Register and its integration with the National Social Register, allowing people in the state to receive the N25,000 Conditional Cash Transfer program, which is already underway in other states of the Federation.
