The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, on Thursday, said 16 out of 20 local government areas of the state have been identified by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET as flood prone zones.
Oresanya who spoke at the 2025 flood alert press conference held in Okemosan, Abeokuta, disclosed that the NIMET prediction noted the possibility of rainfall with an intensity between 965mm and 1805 mm.
The commissioner reassured the populace that the state government is committed to lessening the effects of flooding in the state, noting that during the past five years, 988.3 km of rivers, streams, and drainage channels have been de-silted, and 698m of concrete drainages and culverts of various cross-sections have been built.
He added that the ministry is set to create more tributaries for Ogun Rivers and complete the dredging of Opa Aro river in order to further mitigate flooding in wetland areas of Isheri, Akute and Warewa.
Oresanya said “ The State Government is set to create more tributaries for Ogun Rivers and complete the dredging of Opa Aro river. The project will commence in April in phases with the de-silting of the Banku River to Majidun /Mawere.
“Already the retention for flood in the area has reduced from the annual average of six (6) weeks to three (3) weeks in 2024. This positive impact is the outcome of approval given by Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON for the dredging of Oparo Rivers as a prove of concept for mitigation of adverse impact of flooding in Isheri community.
He, however, advised residents of Ijebu-Ode, Ota, Owode, Abeokuta, Onihale in Ifo, Sagamu, Iperu and Ilishan to be wary of flash flood while 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 Ogun Waterside, Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East, among others to relocate to safer grounds.
“ In continuation of the efforts of the government to minimize occurrence of flood in the state, 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, while 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 Ogun Waterside, Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu 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 to relocate to safer grounds before the coastal flood between September and November”.
In order to prevent accidents during the rainy season, he advised drivers and other road users to avoid entering or crossing flooded roads and urged Community Development Associations, to caution their residents against building on runoff routes, disposing of trash in drainage channels, rivers, or streams, or engaging in other environmentally hazardous activities.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olugbenga Oyelele, in his welcome address called for the cooperation and support of all stakeholders, stressing that it’s the collective responsibility of all and the ministry cannot do it alone.
Meanwhile the Director of Flood and Erosion Control, Ismail Adenuga, disclosed that from 2019 till date the ministry has engaged in the re-channelization of water way and grading of link road to Nyangoa barracks along Lafenwa- Aiyetoro road, desilting of Amolasho river to Ijeja in Abeokuta, clearing of stream path in Ijaiye bridge, among others others.
In his remarks, Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to Gov. Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, thanked the commissioner for the ministry’s efforts and reassured the people that the state government is ready to lessen the effects of floods in the state.
Ogun govt announces 16 LGAs prone to flood, advises residents to relocate
