Ogun residents displaced as Oyan dam releases water

Some residents within the Lafenwa-Abule Otun neighborhood in Abeokuta North native authorities space of Ogun State have fled their properties following the discharge of water from the Oyan dam, which has prompted flooding locally.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the neighborhood, which is meters away from the Ogun River, was flooded by water occasioned by the discharge of water from the Oyan Dam, coupled with torrential rainfall on Saturday.

Our correspondent, who visited the neighborhood on Monday, noticed that no fewer than 5 homes within the lowland had been full of water, whereas some homes had traces of flooding on them. Among the homes had been additionally abandoned, with no occupants in sight.

A resident, Lateefat Akinwunmi, famous that because the launch of water from the dam and the heavy rainfall that preceded it, they’ve needed to evacuate their homes, which have been taken over by flood. She lamented that residing has turn out to be tough as the products she sells have been trapped in the home whereas she and her household had to stick with a pal.

She mentioned, “We used to expertise flooding often, however the latest opening of the dam has prompted the flooding to be a lot this time. Our properties have been destroyed, and we’ve got been displaced from our properties. We are able to not sleep at house due to the flood, which has taken over our rooms, too.

 “I promote perishable items, and my items are trapped inside whereas some have gotten broken. The bag of Garri (Cassava flakes) that I purchased not too long ago for promoting functions has been drenched in water. This flood has actually prompted us hardship.”

One other resident, who recognized merely as Mama, famous that the neighborhood hardly experiences flooding besides on a couple of events when the dam is opened. She lamented that the latest flooding has displaced them from their properties and prompted harm to their properties.

Mama mentioned, “We hardly expertise flooding on this neighborhood besides when the dam is opened. This one which they opened not too long ago actually affected us. As you possibly can see, all over the place is flooded. Some folks have even fled their homes with the hope to return when the water goes down.”

The neighborhood chief, Kelani Bashir, famous that the neighborhood began experiencing flooding when a bridge was constructed over the river, which required the dredging of some elements of the river. He lamented that a number of efforts made to get the federal government to reconstruct a water channel that may assist to channel the water have proved abortive.

Bashir mentioned, “The issue of flooding began when a bridge was constructed over the Ogun River to ease motion, however throughout the development, dredging was made to pave the best way for water circulate, and since then, that has been the purpose by means of which our neighborhood will get flooded.

“The flooding usually impacts many of the homes within the lowland space on this neighborhood, and we’ve got made a number of appeals to the federal government to assist us see to this case, however it has not yielded any constructive outcome.”

He appealed to Governor Abiodun to assist reconstruct the drainage channel between the river and the neighborhood to stop flooding attributable to the river’s overflow.

 “If our authorities can assist us reconstruct the drainage channel that’s between the neighborhood and the river by making it taller, it’ll forestall water from flooding our neighborhood. Governor Abiodun ought to please come to our rescue,” he concluded.

When contacted, the Press Officer, Ogun State Ministry of Atmosphere, Rotimi Oduniyi, famous that residents in flood-prone areas have been pressured to maneuver to uplands in order to keep away from casualties, however they’ve been adamant. He famous that an evaluation staff can be deployed to the neighborhood instantly for crucial actions.

“There’s a surge within the river at present, which is occasioned by the latest rainfall and the discharge of water from the dam. We now have warned folks residing within the river space to find to the upland in order to keep away from casualties. We additionally arrange a camp the place they’ll relocate however most of those folks don’t yield to authorities warnings. The ministry will deploy an evaluation staff to the neighborhood for crucial actions”, Oduniyi disclosed.