FG TO PROFFER SOLUTION TO FLOOD ISSUES- ENVIRONMENT MINISTER

 FG TO PROFFER SOLUTION TO FLOOD ISSUES- ENVIRONMENT MINISTER

The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured the people and residents of flood-prone areas, particularly the residents of Isheri community in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State of a permanent solution to flooding in the area.

This assurance was given by the Minister of State, Environment; Dr. Isiaq Salako who was in the company of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation; Prof. Joseph Utsev, Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Onisheri of Isheri, Oba Sulaiman Bamgbade and residents of the area during an on the spot assessment of the state of the community.

Dr. Salako opined that the flood problem facing the community is multifaceted and must be tackled from many angles, adding that the role and habits of the people of the country, as regards the protection of the environment, must be critically looked into.

"The problem is multifaceted and from our inspection, and the briefing we have received, I can see that we have to tackle the problem from many angles.

"The role of the two dams, the role of the Ogun River, the role of our habits and our practices as people, and then the effect of climate change which is bringing in adverse weather conditions", he opined.

The Minister added that a comprehensive study would be embarked upon so as to find a lasting solution to the problem, expansion of drainages, and the roads in the area.

Salako also disclosed that the effect of climate change cannot be reversed but can be slowed down if adapted to, charging the people of the country and the state to ensure their drains are properly cleared and their waste disposed of properly.

In his remark, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev disclosed that the Federal Government has set up a committee that is working extensively on flood challenges across the country, assuring the people that the Federal Government is leaving no stone unturned to find a lasting solution to the problem.

Responding, the Ogun State Governor; Prince Dapo Abiodun, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift response to the plight of his people residing in the flooded area of Isheri, disclosing that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs would visit the State in the next few days.

Governor Dapo Abiodun also thanked the Redeemed Christian Church of God and NASFAT for making available their premises to serve as a center for some of the displaced residents.

Abiodun also affirmed that some buildings built on channel ways would give way, and drainages would also be sorted.

 

Olufunso Obasan,

Press Officer, Office of the Governor.

ABIODUN SEEKS FG'S INTERVENTION ON ISHERI FLOODING

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called for the intervention of the Federal Government in tackling the perennial flooding that affects Isheri Community in Ifo Local Government Area of the State.

Governor Abiodun, who made the call when he received the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, who was on a courtesy call to his office at Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, said the magnitude of the flooding was beyond the capacity of the State government, hence the call for the prompt assistance of the Federal government.

He said, "Yesterday, I was in Isheri North where we bordered Lagos. The whole of that area is flooded and that is one of our most valuable parcels of land with Estates for upper and medium-income earners and we also have lots of industries there because of its proximity to Lagos State.

"We need not just the attention of the Federal government, but its intervention because the remedial action that is required to resolve this crisis is beyond what the State can handle, we do not even have the expertise nor the financial capacity to solve the problem.

"This place is completely built up and we are not going to start demolishing houses. The level of investments in that area is huge. We must have a team from the State government, Ministries of Water Resources, Environment and Humanitarian Affairs to see what we can do collaboratively, to bring immediate term relief to our people. We should also work towards medium-term and more sustainable long-term solutions to the problem".

While noting that Dams are created to be a source of water supply for the use of the people, industries, and agricultural purposes, Governor Abiodun, however, regretted that in the last few years, the State has experienced perennial flooding.

He attributed the menace to a lack of purpose-built channels, building on flood plains and drainages, saying it was high time the issue was tackled head-on.

 Gov. Abiodun disclosed that the State was aware of the Ministry's Clean Up Nigeria, Water Sanitation Hygiene and the e-Wash programmes, adding that his administration would key into them as there was a nexus between sanitation and health.

Speaking earlier, Prof. Utsev said he was in the State to see the Ministry's facilities at Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, which included the Oyan Dam and farms, and the flooding in some parts of the State, assuring that action would be taken to mitigate the challenges.

He said the Ministry was concerned with the perennial flooding as a result of the release of water from Oyan Dam, adding that a lasting solution must be given to the problem.

The Minister said, "We are in Ogun State to take a total assignment of what is happening with a view to prevent it. The flooding can be prevented and we will be in Ogun and Lagos States, to see what can be done to tackle the problem”.

 

Elijah Udofia,

Press Officer, Office of the Governor.