Ogun Declares Emergency to Deflood Communities in Isheri, Off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Ogun State Government says it is declaring a state of emergency in tackling the massive flooding of Isheri community, beside the state border with Lagos State, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Governor Dapo Abiodun who announced this, also said the state government will interface with the Ogun-Osun River Basin authority on the discharge of its waste water from the Oyan Dam which contributed to the flooding of the communities.

Abiodun stated this while speaking to newsmen on the sideline of his inspection visit the flooded communities, including the Riverview Estate.

Promising quick intervention, he said that his administration would work with federal government to treat the flooding of the Isheri community as an emergency case.

According to him, he had raised the issue with President Tinubu, the vice President as well as the environment minister.

The governor said the first step would be the conduct of a comprehensive assessment of what is needed to be done.

In the process, the governor said some of the roads in the area might be elevated, while some of the residents may be relocated for the de-flooding project.

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At the Riverview estate, the governor an aerial survey of the Isheri community would be carried out to identify critical areas requiring urgent intervention.

He assured that the intervention would come through the construction of an elevated road with adequate drainages to mitigate their suffering.

“I want to assure you today, knowing fully well that we are a promise keeping administration, we do not say what we do not mean, my heart goes out to you, it is very unfortunate, I am giving my commitment today, the commissioner for works will come and see what needs to be done.

“We have also engaged the Minister of State for the Environment, who fortunately, is from Ogun State and I have already brought this to his attention.

“Before the end of the week, I will also table it before the Vice President and the President as well so that we ensure that this problem gets all the desired attention and consequently gets the desired solution so we can bring this to an end,” he said.

The governor also disclosed that he and the Minister of Water Resources would visit the community in few days time.

“We will also discuss the issue of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority and try and interrogate the activities there and understand how their activities affect this community and other communities with respect to the opening and closing of the dam,” he said.

The governor described the environment around the Kara cattle market as an eyesore and not befitting the dreams of a “new Ogun State”.

He said that the market was not conducive for human living and not in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals and waste disposal.