Fear grips Lagos, Ogun residents over Oyan Dam water release

Many residents of flood-prone areas in Lagos and Ogun states, especially those along river banks are now living with fear over the release of water from the Oyan Dam as a result of heavy rains making the dam water to overflow.

Already, the Lagos State Government has alerted residents in areas contiguous to the Ogun River about the steady release of water from the Oyan Dam, urging everyone to standby in case there is a need to move from their locations.

Ogun River is a big river cutting across three states with more than 20 tributaries, one of which is Oyan Dam.

Scores of houses are usually submerged each time the dam water is released as flood takes over the whole environment, leaving hundreds of residents in the affected areas homeless. Many have had to resort to using canoes to get out of the flooded streets.

A statement on Tuesday signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, said officials of the state had been monitoring the release, which was earlier announced through an advisory.

He listed areas where the release of water could be felt as Isheri North, Kara, Itowolo, Ajegunle, Majidun and Ogolonto, stressing that the intensity of rainfall recorded in Lagos and flow of connecting rivers determines the level of water that would be released by the Oyan Dam authorities.

He added that within the last week, the volume of water released had increased from 15,000 to 21,000 millilitres but reduced to 17,000 millilitres on Monday.

Bello stated that more water would be released from Oyan Dam and is expected to reach the peak in October, advising residents in low-lying areas to be on standby to move to higher grounds.

“Specifically, residents who live in the downstream of Isheri Olofin up to part of Agboyi will experience flooding as earlier predicted,” the commissioner said.

Bello similarly stressed that the Onikoyi/Agelete Community at IBA New Town in IBA Local Council Development Area could also experience flooding due to the proximity to Yewa River.