LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin By Oyebola Owolabi
The Lagos State government yesterday alerted residents and property owners at the Ogun River Banks to prepare for relocation as the Ogun Osun River Basin development begins staggered release of water from Oyan Dam.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab, during a media briefing, said the notification was important to maintain the sanctity of the dam and its socio-economic implications for Lagos State.
According to him, it is crucial to understand that the dam’s annual operations are informed by real-time hydrological data, rainfall predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and flood outlooks from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). These sources, he said, guide the water release decisions to ensure flood control and integrity of the dam.
Wahab also noted that the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) operates the Dam in strict compliance with safety protocols to prevent structural damage and mitigate flood risks.
The commissioner added that a detailed operational report of OORBDA said the total water released from the dam as of October 12 stands at 1,484.2 million cubic meters (mcm), which remains below the average synthesised annual flow volume of 1,770 mcm.
He stressed that although rainfall across the Oyan River catchment area has been significant, with a cumulative 984.1 mm recorded this year, ‘it remains lower than last year’s 1,540.8 mm and is within safe operational levels’.
Wahab explained that the dam is equipped with four radial gates capable of releasing up to 2,271 cubic meters per second (m³/s) during peak periods, and the current releases are measured at 208 m³/s, with only two gates opened at 12 per cent capacity each, ensuring controlled and steady discharge.
According to him, 62.1 per cent of the dam’s flood control capacity remains intact, with the Dam not under any imminent threat of releasing excess water beyond safe limits. This, he noted, has been made possible through the state’s collaboration with OORBDA.
He said: “The government fully recognises the challenge faced by residents in affected communities which include Kara, Mile 12, Agiliti, Ikosi Ketu, Owode, Ajegunle, and Odo-Ogun as reported.
“However, I want to emphasise that while the flooding experienced in these areas has often been attributed solely to water released from the Oyan Dam, this is not entirely the case. In reality, the downstream section of the Ogun River is influenced by a complex network of over 52 tributaries, all of which converge and contribute to rising water levels in the affected areas.
“These tributaries, combined with rain-induced run-off, significantly exacerbate the flood situation. This is a critical point to consider when addressing flood management strategies for this region.
“In an effort to reduce the flood risks and ensure free flow of water within the Ogun River system, the OORBDA recently kicked-off dredging of the Ogun River downstream from the Ikorodu to Isheri axis (Ajelogo, Owode-Elede, Ajegunle, and under deck-on-pile of Itowolo Bridge) for the water released on September 13, 2024.
“Some right-of-ways along the catchment areas were protected and restored. The dredging was a proactive measure to deepen the river channel and increase its capacity to convey water, thereby reducing the likelihood of flooding during high inflow periods.”
The commissioner also reiterated that the government is determined to maintain the long-established synergy and partnership with OORBDA which has continued to ensure controlled and monitored systematic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream communities.
Wahab also said the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) has been consistently de-silting and working on secondary collectors and conduits, to enable them discharge efficiently and act as retention basins as part of statewide measures to prevent flooding.
He appealed to Lagosians to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places, throwing pet bottles on the roads, clogging of drains with silt or construction materials, erecting building structures within and around drainage Right of Ways/setbacks, as well as discharging human waste into drains/canals.
“These habits encourage high siltation and vegetal growth that easily clog the canals thus impeding the free flow of water. I also appeal to our people to support the government’s efforts through regular clearing of drains in their frontages to ensure free-flow of storm water as well as to desist from dumping of refuse into drainage channels and roads.”
