By Onyebuchi Sampson
To prevent flooding and its associated calamities during the rainy season, Ogun State Government has told residents to prepare for the approaching wet period and support its efforts to keep the state flood free.
Giving the advice on behalf of the state government, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Ola Oresanya, in a statement, said rainfall should not be seen as a curse but a blessing, hence, the need to be adequately prepared for the season and tap into its opportunities.
The advice followed a prediction by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), that there would be two seasons of rainfall between April and December 2022.
The Federal agencies had predicted that Ogun, being a coastal state, will experience prolonged rainfall that may be accompanied by flash floods in parts of the state, especially between June and July, while the coastal flooding may be compounded with the release of water from Oyan dam, which is always accompanied with high tide in the lagoon.
Oresanya urged farmers and inhabitants to be properly aware of the period. He also charged them to take advantage of the season and guide against any unfortunate occurrence.
He further advised those in the habit of dumping refuse on the road and in drainage channels to desist, while appealing to residents in the flood-prone areas to take adequate steps in safeguarding the vulnerable members of their communities, such as children, the elderly and the handicapped.
Oresanya encouraged Community Development Associations (CDA) to educate their members on the need to always and properly evacuate their drainages to remove properties constituting restrictions to drainage channels.
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“Following these predictions, there is a need for the public, especially residents of the state to prepare for the likely impact of this year’s weather pattern. Consequently, residents in wetlands areas with low rainfall infiltration such as lsheri, Akute, Warewa, Oke-afa, Owa and Yemule Riverbanks in Ijebu-ode, Onihale in Ifo, Ogun Waterside, Ebute-Kimobi in Ijebu-East and those living near flood plains of Sokori, Arakanga and Onikoko-River in Abeokuta, Eruwuru in Sagamu, Ijamido, Isaka Owode-Yewa in Ado- Odo Ota Local Council are advised to take precautionary measures during this season.
While reiterating the commitment to the protection of life and property of residents through various activities, the State Government has taken measures to control the problem of flooding statewide.
“Farmers, especially along the coastal areas and riverbanks are implored to take advantage of the weather outlook and plan the planting and harvest properly to prevent damages to their crop and livestock during.
“Motorists and pedestrians are advised to be mindful of the peculiarities of the season and be safety conscious while commuting during this period. Furthermore, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has directed that the Flood Emergency Management Unit (FEMU) be decentralised into all the Local Councils for faster response to emergency calls during the rainy season.
“Ogun as an agrarian state looks forward delightfully to the season of rainfall to support our investment in agriculture, afforestation and climate change adaptation programmes. The need for effective collaboration with the government to prevent the devastation of improperly managed rainfall and the consequences of flooding is therefore compelling. The season of rainfall is not a curse but a blessing. Please support the government to keep our state free of flood,” the statement added.
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