The Ogun State Ministry of Environment has advised farmers around the wetland areas in the State to prepare for flood disaster and complete their harvesting before Mid-July.
The advisory came in response to the metrological prediction of flood disasters in the State by the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA).
In a statement signed by Mr Ola Oresanya, the Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Environment, “residents of the State are advised to prepare for flash floods during the month of July especially between 8th and 15th July, 2021 and September, 2021.”
Residents in the following wetland are advised to “temporarily make provision for a safe environment to avoid severe impact of this natural event.”
- Abeokuta South LG (i.e Gbangba, Ijaye, Ijeun Tuntun, Isale-Oja, Kuto, Amolaso, Ijeja etc)
- Abeokuta North LG (Adedotun, Ago-Ika, Enugada, Totoro, Onikoko etc) and Obafemi Owode LG (Adigbe, Ofada, Magboro etc)
- Ijebu – Ode LG (Owa River Course and Yemule River Course)
- Ifo LG (Isheri, Wawa, Arepo, Akute, Alagbole etc)
- Odeda LG (Obantoko, Arakanga river and tributaries Ewekoro, Ado-Odo/Ota)
- Shagamu
- Ijebu – East; and
- Ogun Waterside
Farmers in these areas are “strongly advised to complete their harvesting before the above stated time to avert loss of their livestock and crops to flooding.”
“In addition, pedestrian and motorists in the State are advised to be cautious on the road while walking and driving to avoid accidents as the roads will witness high volume of stormwater that will subside within minutes because adequate measures (like clearing of waterways to allow for free flow of the rivers/streams and desilting of drainage channel across the State) have been put in place by the State Government to mitigate the potential risk at this period,” the statement reads.
“Residents of the State are also advised to ensure the cleanliness of the Drainage Channel within their domain and strictly desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse into the Drainage Channel and Water Courses before and during any occurrence of rainfall as this is one of the major factors responsible for urban flooding in our environment.”
According to the ministry, some rivers and streams have been cleared to mitigate the occurrence of flood in the areas, the rivers and streams include:
- Sokori Stream and its tributaries, Abeokuta
- Odo Musa, Mokola, Abeokuta.
- Arokoje Stream, Abeokuta
- Orudu River, Adiyan, Ifo LG
- The Stream within Ogungbade CDA, Onihale
- The Stream within Igbehin-Adun CDA, Owode via Sango, Ota
- Igele River, Ogun Waterside
- The Stream within Ajerogun Community Development Association, Owode via Sango, Ota
- The Stream within Divine Unity Community Development Association, Cele-Bus Stop, Onihale, Ifo LG, etc.
“The Ministry of Environment also announced to the general public the constitution of the State Flood Emergency Management Unit headed by the Director, Flood and erosion Control, Engr. I. A. Adenuga and he can be contacted via 08036401944, 09010480056.”
