Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has blamed the water released from the Republic of Cameroon for the flooding of the Isheri community in the Ifo Local Government Area of the state
The governor also advocated dredging and channelisation of the Ogun River saying that this would go a long way in curbing the perennial flooding of Isheri and its environs.
Abiodun stated this on Saturday while he received the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Oke-Mosan Abeokuta.
He said, “We have identified some immediate causes. We have the Oyan Dam, and it is being overseen by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority. The Minister of Water Resources and the Minister of State for the Environment were here to see for themselves as it was the consequences of that flooding.
“We identified together that the dam itself contributed to the problem, and of course, it is not intentional because dams were built to capture bodies of water that are in the channel. It serves as a source of water supply, irrigation, and also the control of flooding.
“The other part is that the Ogun River is channelled to go through the area in question. That channel itself requires proper channelisation. There is evidence that the channel needs to be disilted.”
Speaking earlier, Edu said, “We are here to assess the extent of the damage caused by the recent flooding in Isheri and to also present these food items as a form of humanitarian assistance. It is in line with the agenda for renewed hope by President Bola Tinubu.
“The President is deeply touched by this flooding challenge and he has promised to bring a permanent solution to this reoccurring problem. We are well aware that beyond these palliatives, what you desire is a permanent solution to this perennial flooding problem.
“I want to assure you that talks are ongoing about the construction of buffer dams to tackle this challenge and when next I am here it will be to join other government officials to commission some of these projects that will help to permanently end this problem.”
