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Sodiq Ojuroungbe
The Ogun state government has urged the residents living in the flood prone areas across the state to relocate before heavy rain begins in the state.
The government listed not less than 40 communities in 10 Local Government Areas across the state as places that would be affected in view of prediction on impending flood disaster.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the 40 affected communities include Lafenwa, Ago-Ika, Adedotun, Sabo, Abule-Oyin, Oriyanrin, Odemo/Totoro, Madojutimi, Olurunsogo, Gbangba, Ijeun Titun, INEC, Ago-Ijesha, Isale-oja in Kuto, Amolaso, Ijeja, Riverview estate, Primeview estate, Citiview estate, and Arepo.
Others affected communities also include Magada, Oke-Afa in Mogboro, Jesuwalaye, Ariye, Ewuga, Ayegbami, Ajegunle, Kara, Owa, Ijagun, Ogbo, Olosun, Ayetoro, Akweja, Owode, Abigi, Makun-Omi, Ode-Omi and Ebute Imobi.
The government’s appeal is coming barely four weeks after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had predicted that some states including Ogun will experience heavy flooding from September.
The Commissioner for Environment, Hon Abiodun Abudu – Balogun during a press briefing in Abeokuta advised the residents of the 40 communities to relocate temporarily to safer places as part of moves to protect lives and properties.
The Commissioner noted that the advice is in the best interest of the affected residents.
He added, “The fact that they are living in flood prone areas does not make them less important. Their lives matter to the governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the government of the state.
“Whether they are living on illegal structures or not, we shall continue to make sure that government protect them. That is why we are saying that yes, they might have done things that are wrong but because your lives are very important to the government, leave these flood prone areas.
“But that’s not to say those structures will not go. Those structures will give way.
“If you don’t relocate flood will sack you and take over the property. It is better to the advice.”
Abudu-Balogun blamed erection of illegal structures and dumping of refuse as factors responsible for the impending flood.
He also disclosed that no fewer than 128 people have been arrested and prosecuted for indiscriminate dumping of refuse on waterways and other environmental offences.
He added that the government has equally commenced dredging and desilting rivers, as part of efforts to curb flood disaster.
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