Oyan Dam : Residents lament, calls out Government for swift Intervention.

Banku Estate

Some of the residents of Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun State; Banku , Mokore, and  Arigbede community Wawa have fled their homes, following the release of water from the Oyan dam, which has caused flooding in the community.

Instinct Newspaper gathered that the community, comprising of Mokore ,Arigbede and Banku Estate ,in far meters away from the Ogun River, has been flooded by water occasioned by the release of water from the Oyan Dam, coupled with torrential rainfall from Wednesday till the time of this report.

Instinct Newspaper correspondent, Mr Abiodun, who is a resident, reported, observed and confirmed that no fewer than Ten [10] houses in the lowland were filled with water, while some houses had traces of flooding on them. Some of the houses were also deserted, with no occupants in sight.

He also reported that the main road leading from the entrance gate of Mokore ,the major point of entry has been flooded for a couple of days leaving the commuters and residents of the area stranded, Instinct Newspaper gathered. 

A resident , AL-Hamid furniture's, noted that since the release of water from the dam and the heavy flood that preceded it, he had to evacuate his workshop, which have been taken over by flood.

He lamented that working has become difficult as the goods he sells have been trapped in the workshop while he and his apprentices had to stay from the workshop.

He said, “We used to experience flooding occasionally, but the recent opening of the dam has caused the flooding to be much this time.

A lot of properties have been destroyed, and many residents have been displaced from their homes. 

They can no longer sleep at home because of the flood, which has taken over, shop, rooms, too.

We hardly experience flooding in this community except when the dam is opened, Instinct Newspaper gathered.

Banku Estate Gate

This one that they opened recently really affected us. 

As you can see, everywhere is flooded. 

Some people have even fled their houses with the hope to return when the water goes down.”

The community leader, Mr. Olanrewaju Falade Chairman Banku CDA Council, noted that the community started experiencing flooding every time the release water from Oyan Dam river,

He added that, thank God that the good people, Residents and the executives of the AREA, CDA had earlier co-operated to raising the road above water level , which saved a lot to some extent during the flooding.

He lamented that several efforts made to get the government to reconstruct a water channel that can help to channel the water have proved abortive.

Earlier, Mr. Tim Amosun, A Researcher, Grassroot mobilizer and community leader, 4th of Dec.2019, charged the government ahead of the task before them towards the Ogun-Oshun flooding, stating that the economic strangulation ravaging the country is not helping matters, residents whose houses are not submerged are managing to go about their daily business activities using Canoes as their means of transportation.

Stating that the Ministry of local Governments should team up with other community development agencies to  jumpstart effective coordination of LCDA to prevent further havocs caused by the flooding.

He outlined that Mechanisms to checkmates official approval of illegal structures should be established to prevent further damages, Instinct Newspaper gathered.

Stating further that the Ogun-Oshun Dam The dam, which is managed by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, is located at Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the state, that have been causing yearly havoc the residents of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos state should be properly and sustainably developed to enhance and ensure socio-economic growth of the Nation, or else it will continue to endanger the lives and properties of the residents and many affected Nigerians.

Also , Mr. Yinka Sholeye, 'he stated that the flooding often affects most of the houses in the lowland area in the community, and several appeals has been made to the government to help us see to this situation, but it has not yielded any positive result, he added that proper modifications should be added while shooting off water from the dam in other to prevents loss of properties and lives, Instinct Newspaper gathered.

Appealing  to Governor Abiodun to help reconstruct the drainage channel between the river and the community to prevent flooding caused by the river’s overflow.

A resident Michael , said ,"If our government can help us reconstruct the drainage channel that is between the community and the river by making it taller, it will prevent water from flooding our community. Governor Abiodun should please come to our rescue,” he concluded, Instinct Newspaper gathered.

Ogun State Commissioner of Environment, noted that residents in flood-prone areas have been forced to move to uplands so as to avoid casualties, they should not be adamant. 

He noted that an assessment team will be deployed to the community immediately for necessary actions.

There is a surge in the river currently, which is occasioned by the recent rainfall and the release of water from the dam. 

We have warned people living in the river area to locate to the upland so as to avoid casualties. 

The ministry will deploy an assessment team to the community for necessary actions” 

He disclosed and promised that the dredger would be deployed again to finish the dredging of Opa Aro River that has been blocked for years, the backflow of the river is one of the issues causing flooding in the community, Instinct Newspaper gathered.