Ogun State Government has released this year’s flood alert ahead of the wet season, asking residents of 26 flood-prone communities to relocate to safer areas.
The government asked them to relocate before the coastal flood between September and November.
This is just as the government hinted on plans by the State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA) assured the residents of of it’s readiness to perform its statutory roles optimally in case of emergency evacuation to designated IDP camps located strategically around the State.
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have identified Ogun as one of the major flood prone areas in Nigeria.
Speaking during the Ministry of Environment Year 2025 Flood Alert, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya said the NiMET predictions identified 16 Local Government areas of the state as flood prone zones.
Oresanya said “To mitigate impact of the seasons of flood in the State, the State government in the last 5 years have de-silted 988.3km of rivers/streams, and drainage channels; constructed 698m in length of concrete drainages and culverts of various cross-sections.
“Presently, de-silting of rivers streams and drainage channels, construction of drainages and culverts are ongoing in various parts of the State to further reiterate the State Government’s determination to reduce the impact of flood in the State. The execution of the projects will commence in April, and this cut across three senatorial districts of the State.”
The Commissioner asked residents of Ijebu-Ode, Ota, Owode, Abeokuta, Onihale in Ifo, Sagamu, Iperu and Ilishan to be wary of flash flood expected between March and July.
He equally called on those living on floodplains of Isheri, Akute, Warewa, Oke-Afa, Owa and Yemule River banks in Ijebu-Ode, Ifaara, Ebute-Oni, Ayede-Ayila, Makun, Iwopin and Igele in gun Waterside, Ebute-Imobi in jebu East, Sokori, Arakanga and Onikoko River all in Abeokuta, Eruwuru, Eri, Ibu, Majopa, Odan and Sensen in Sagamu, and Ijamido, Ilo, Erukomu, Isakale, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area among others are advised to relocate to safer grounds before the coastal flood between September and November.
Oresanya disclosed that incase of emergency the government plans IDP camps strategically located across the state.
He explained that the government is collaborating with religious bodies to make use of their camps and hotels as IDP camps.
