Agony of perennial flooding faced by communities living along the Ogun River Basin which annually leads to incalculable loss of properties and oftentimes, lives will soon be a thing of the past, Ogun State Government has assured.
The state Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya made this known yesterday during a consultative meeting with residents of the River Basin Communities at the Riverview Estate in Isheri.
According to Dr, Oresanya, the state government would soon create more tributaries and outlets for Ogun River across its wetland border towns of Isheri, Kara, Wawa and Arepo to further solve the perennial flooding problems and make the areas livable.
He however said the project would be in phases as people and some buildings would be affected since it would be necessary to consult with residents of the area before the work would commence.
Recalling the State government’s intervention in the communities since last year, Oresanya said the retention of flood in the area has now reduced from five to six weeks to three weeks due to the
dredging of Oparo River in the area.
“We are hoping to complete the dredging of that river to Majidun Area in Ikorodu which is towards the Lagoon as well as other interventions,” he said.
He enjoined the residents of the area to cooperate with the government to complete the dredging exercise as well as the creation of tributaries and outlets for the Ogun River a reality.
Responding, Chairman, Ogun-Lagos River Basin Communities, Mr. Olanrewaju Akinde, said the meeting have renewed their hope and were looking forward to Ogun State government’s various interventions that would make their communities livable adding that, overtime the Ogun State Government through the Ministry of Environment has proven to be reliable and determined to solve the perennial flooding problems affecting the area.
