Scenes of flooding at Isheri
The Federal Government and Ogun State Government are conjoining to find a lasting solution to the bothering issue of recurrent flooding in Isheri and its environs, the bordering towns and villages abutting the state and Lagos State.
The Minister of State for Environment made this known during a stakeholder’s meeting, at OPIC Building in Isheri, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State during the week.
Dr. Salako revealed that there were strategies in stock by the Federal Government to address the challenge headlong.
He explained that flooding at Isheri had been noted as a persistent issue which should not need a fire brigade approach.
Dr. Salako, who said flooding could be averted if people abide by environmental rules and desist from erecting structures on drainages also revealed that some amount had been budgeted to give palliative to residents of the area.
“The approach of the Federal Government is to look at the problem indepth and come out with a permanent solution. We have therefore spoken with some consultants and they have told us that they will need to assess the problem from Oyan Dam up to when Ogun River empties into the Atlantic Ocean”, he said.
On her part, Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Hon. Olufunmilayo Efuape, enjoined the people to continue to cooperate with government, for smooth execution of the project.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said the challenge requires channelisation of Ogun River, stating that Governor Dapo Abiodun had inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee consisting of Permanent Secretaries in Ministries of Works and Infrastructure, Environment, Housing, as well as Bureau of Lands and Survey, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
In their separate remarks, Chairmen, Isheri Community Development Association, Mr. Gbenga Osoba; River View Estate, Mr. Abayomi Akinde and the General Secretary, Lagos/Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Olanrewaju Smith, appreciated the step taken by the state and Federal Governments to cross-fertilise ideas on their action plans.
