The Ogun State Government has issued a warning to residents in floodplain areas to relocate to safer grounds before the rainy season commences fully. The warning was given by the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, during the 2024 Ogun State Flood Alert.
According to the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the rainy season is expected to start in March and end in December 2024, witth sixteen out of the twenty local government areas in the state expected to be affected.
Residents in flood-prone areas have been advised to either relocate or elevate their homes to avoid the effects of the expected heavy rainfall. The commissioner warned that people living in hilly areas will experience erosion due to the speed of the water, while those in wetland areas will experience flooding.
Ogun government has put measures in place to cushion the effects of the flooding, including the construction of drainage channels, mini-bridges, and culverts, as well as the desilting and clearing of rivers and streams.
Farmers have been encouraged to start planting, while fish farmers have been advised to harvest before the peak of the rainy season in July. Poultry farmers have also been warned against stocking density during the period.
The government has also called on residents to apply for a drainage permit before constructing their drainages to ensure that they have the right elevation for the passage of water.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), Engr. Olufemi Odumosu, emphasized the need for collaboration between OORBDA and the Ogun State government in the area of tourism, which would help generate more revenue.
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