Ogun insists on residents’ relocation from flood-prone communities

The Ogun State Government has reiterated that residents of flood-prone communities should relocate to safer areas until the water levels recede.

The admonition came in response to an appeal on Wednesday by the Chairman of Isheri Estate Communities, Abayomi Akinde, to the government to assist in addressing the persistent yearly flooding.

Akinde had claimed that the Olusegun Osoba administration had sold the location to the residents.

In his words, “What these government officials have failed to tell the public is that the Ogun State Government sold the floodplains to us. The government of that time was actively promoting the Riverview Estate to the public.

“We heeded the government’s call, but what should have been dream homes have now turned into nightmares. We are victims, and government officials should stop demonising us and instead address our plight.”

Akinde stated that it would be unfair for the government to blame the residents for the devastating situation, as it was the same government that sold them the property.

According to him, the annual flooding has had adverse economic and psychological effects on residents.

He called on the governor to assist the communities by raising the road levels to contain floodwater within the concrete drainage.

Reacting to this, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, stated in a telephone conversation with PUNCH Metro on Thursday, that the immediate solution was for the residents to relocate.

Akinmade admitted that while the estate was sold by the current administration’s predecessors, the administration remained committed to finding a lasting solution to the flooding.

“It was the Gbenga Daniel administration that sold all the Isheri areas to subscribers. As you may recall, the governor visited the area barely a year ago, and promises were made that are still ongoing. There have been many advisories for people in flood-prone areas to relocate. Globally, when there is flooding, people are relocated.

“Flooding is not unique to Isheri or Nigeria; it is a global issue due to civilization and industrialization. However, the government is making efforts, and I believe that the promises made will be fulfilled.”

Akinmade advised the residents to prioritize safety by heeding the government’s warnings to temporarily relocate to safer areas until the floodwaters become manageable.

“The advice we can give to our people is that when we have this kind of situation, they should consider safety first and heed the warning of the government that people should move out of that area to a safer place until the flood gets to a controllable level,” Akinmade said.

in October 2023, during the peak of the flooding, then-state governor, Dapo Abiodun, alongside a delegation from the Federal Government led by former Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, visited the communities and promised a lasting solution.

They assured the Isheri community that the Federal Government would spare no effort in addressing the recurrent flooding problem.

“The President is aware of this issue, fully understands the root cause, and has been proactive in addressing it. I am aware that this problem is also a priority for the state governor. I believe we will find a permanent solution.

“We need to understand what actions are required concerning the Ogun River, the dams, and how to expand drainage, raise our roads, and encourage people to adopt more environmentally responsible behaviours,” Iziaq said during the visit.