PRESS BRIEFING BY FKB ON THE RECENT FLOOD IN OGUN AND LAGOS

There had been reported cases of flood in some communities in some part of Ogun State and Lagos, which displaced inhabitants and destroyed farmlands occasioning great loses on the part of citizens.

The communities affected by the flood include Ilara, Oja-odan, Abeokuta, Isheri, Maidan, Magodo, Owode Onirin, Akute-Ifo,Agbado, Ajegunle area etc.

Investigation revealed that the Ogun river in recent time has over flown due to large volume of water entering it from adjourning river about twenty (20) rivers in all; they are River Sokori, River Oba, Ewekoro, Iro etc.,

It was also reported that the release of large volume of water from Oyan Dam was partly responsible.

Beyond the above stated reasons is the phenomenon of Climatic change with the amount of rainfall this year.

Matters arising from the incidents of flood make it imminent on all relevant agencies to rise up to the challenges of remedial measures including issues of control and compensations to the victims.

However, it is also important that the government should consider construction of more dams to control the inflow of water into the Ogun river and the lagoons in view of the number of small and big rivers in the adjourning areas flowing into river Ogun.

The Ilara flood issue calls for urgent attention by the NEMA and Border Regions Commission. The Area needs proper channelization of the flood plain area among other things.

It is disheartening that the people of the Ilara community are relocating to the Benin Republic since the market located in the Benin Republic had been well cared for and had not been affected by the flood while erosion is threatening the age long community.

* In view of the aforementioned I want to call on the Federal Government to give additional supports to NEMA and other relevant agencies to rise up to the challenges of resettling and compensating the environmental migrants displaced by the flood.

* Ministry of Water resources should also come out with design and location of small dams in the adjourning areas to control inflow of water into Ogun River and the Lagoon

* Compensations should be paid to the victims of the flood whose farmlands and houses were destroyed by the flood.

* The Border Region Commission in collaboration with NEMA and Ministry of Works should work out logistics for proper channelization and control of erosion in Ilara Border town in Imeko/Afon Local Government area of Ogun state.

Sen. Felix Kola Bajomo FCA, mni

Ogun West.