The Lagos and Ogun state governments have issued warnings to residents living in flood-prone areas, especially those along riverbanks, to temporarily relocate or prepare for potential flooding ahead of the planned water release from the Oyan Dam.
Managed by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), the annual water release is part of efforts to manage dam levels during the rainy season.
The government’s caution comes as a preventive measure following last year’s flooding that displaced residents in areas like Isheri Riverview Estate, Warewa, and OPIC.
Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized the need for residents in low-lying areas, such as Ajilete and Owode-Onirin, to evacuate, warning that failing to do so could lead to dire consequences.
Meanwhile, Ogun State officials, including Commissioner Ola Oresanya, revealed plans to release over a million gallons of water from the dam to create more space in the reservoir.
However, the OORBDA has reassured the public that the water release will be carefully managed to prevent flooding, with periodic maintenance in place to avoid any dam failures.
