Daud Olatunji
In a significant development aimed at addressing the recurrent issue of flooding in the Isheri-Abiodun area of Ogun State, Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has stressed the need for the dredging and channelization of the Ogun River.
Governor Abiodun made this crucial proposal during a visit by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. (Miss) Betta Edu.
The governor highlighted the impact of the Oyan Dam and the role it played in contributing to the flooding problem.
He emphasized the importance of proper channelization of the Ogun River to prevent overflows, which often result in flooding, and called for the river to be desilted.
The Ogun River flows into the Lagoon, and when water levels rise due to factors like rainfall and the opening of the dam, the surrounding areas suffer from flooding.
This year’s flooding in the Isheri region has been particularly severe, affecting the daily lives and businesses of residents.
While acknowledging that the area is prone to flooding, Governor Abiodun noted that successive governments have allowed development in the flood-prone zone.
He expressed his administration’s commitment to identifying and addressing both immediate and long-term causes of the problem.
The governor also recognized that the flooding issue is not localized, as the State contends with water released from the Republic of Cameroon.
To tackle this multifaceted problem, he emphasized the need to engage a consultant to conduct a comprehensive study and formulate sustainable solutions.
Governor Abiodun took the opportunity to express his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the intervention programs designed to alleviate the effects of the subsidy removal and the support extended to the state.
He revealed plans to review the state’s Social Register to ensure that it is inclusive and representative of those in need.
Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, shared the federal government’s considerations, including constructing buffer dams to control flooding in areas adjacent to the Ogun River.
She also discussed the government’s ambitious plan to lift 50 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next 42 months, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Edu’s visit to Ogun State aimed to assess how the federal government could provide immediate relief to those affected by recent flooding.
The government has initiated various programs, including conditional cash transfers and business support schemes, to achieve its poverty eradication goals.
The minister emphasized the importance of transparent and targeted interventions that are designed to reach those in genuine need.
As the federal government and Ogun State work together on these initiatives, their collective efforts aim to provide practical solutions to the challenges posed by flooding and poverty in the region.
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