Ogun dam increasing on a daily basis, submerging houses, others
Abdullateef Fowewe
The dam that links Ogun State and some communities in Lagos State is due for release threatening the economy of the nearby communities, Dailyeconomy reports.
The water level is increasing on a daily basis thus causing submergence of houses, and roads, loss of farmlands, disruption of socio-economic activities and displacement of families in Kara, Ikosi Ketu, Mile 12, Ajegunle, Owode, Odo-Ogun and Agboyi communities of Ogun and Lagos State, the National Emergency Management Agency confirms on Saturday.
As claimed, NEMA, while conducting assessment and monitoring had earlier advised residents living in flood-prone areas, particularly along riverbanks, to temporarily relocate or brace for potential flooding ahead of the planned release of water from the dam.
“This was done as part of the measures to prevent the dam from collapsing. Currently, the water level is increasing on a daily basis thereby causing the submergence of houses, and roads, loss of farmlands, disruption of socio-economic activities and displacement of families.
“Communities impacted are Kara, Ikosi Ketu, Mile 12, Ajegunle, Owode, Odo-Ogun and Agboyi. At Itowolu, a community primary school has been partially submerged despite the pathway being raised with a wooden plank for the pupils and teachers to move from one place to another. More importantly, the debris and water hyacinth plants carried along by the flood water have caused blockage under one of the bridges along the Ikorodu axis posing a risk of structural defects.
“The condition of many children, women, people Living with Disability (PLWD) and the aged is not good as most of them do not have access to basic support such as clean water, food and non-food items,” NEMA had written.
However, NEMA affirmed that the Lagos Territorial Office in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and the affected communities will be meeting to discuss the humanitarian area of concern, as part of the measures to prevent the escalation of the flood situation.
