Ogun urges residents in flood-prone communities to relocate

The Ogun State Government has advised residents of low-lying areas and coastal communities to relocate to safer grounds between late September and mid-October to avert disaster from expected flooding.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, gave the warning yesterday in Abeokuta during the presentation of the 2025 Ogun State Midterm Flood Alert.

He said the advisory became necessary following predictions of heavy rainfall and river overflow from Ilo, Iju, Owa, Yemule and other rivers, as well as tidal lock along the Ogun coastline. Communities at risk, he added, include Isheri, Warewa, Akute, Ayetoro, Itele, Iju, Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara (Ogun Waterside), Ebute-Imobi (Ijebu East), Tungeji Island and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government.

Oresanya disclosed that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) projected that Ogun would experience the heaviest rainfall in September with 204mm, followed by 190mm in October, while November would see a decline to 93mm.

He warned that inflows from the northern part of the country and Benin Republic, coupled with possible releases from Oyan Dam, could worsen flooding in Ogun and Lagos.

To mitigate the impact, the Commissioner said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been placed on red alert for evacuation, while temporary camps have been prepared across the state. He added that the Ministry of Environment is working with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to regulate water releases from Oyan Dam.

Oresanya also cautioned residents in the affected areas against the use of boreholes and well water during the period, stressing that they may be contaminated.

Fish farmers, especially those operating along floodplains, were urged to harvest their stock immediately to avoid losses.

While appreciating residents for cooperating with government on environmental measures in the past six years, he assured that the state would continue to put preventive measures in place to reduce the impact of flooding.