adminThe Ogun state government has said in order to find permanent solution to the flooding in the Isheri community of Ifo local government area, some buildings will be demolished.
Governor Abiodun alongside the minister of water resources and sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, The state minister for environment Isiaq Salako among others stated this during an on-the-spot evaluation of the flooded neighbourhood.
He explained that most waters in some drainage were stagnant due to buildings built on channels meant to channelize the Ogun river to the lagoon.
โ We are a responsive administration, we will ensure that a comprehensive study is carried out to identify what we can do to put in place is a sustainable solution.
โ However in the cause of our driving around we saw some buildings built on channels meant to stabilize the Ogun river to the lagoon, such buildings will not stand.
โ For us to have a permanent solution some I want us to understand that there will be some pains. I know the minister will not tell you that but me as your government I can tell you that for free.
โWe notice that waters in some drainage are just stagnant so some building will have to give way for the water to flow.
He noted that a committee would also be set up to find lasting solution and keep the residents updated.
โ We are going to have a committee of us as government and you and also the federal government so that you all will have a representative in that committee that is taking a decision on what we are going to be doing here.
Isiaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, noted that a comprehensive examination was necessary to ascertain what had to be done to address the flooding problems permanently.
“We should understand what we need to do with Ogun river , the dams , how do we ensure that we expand our drainages and lift our roads and our people to change there habit and be more environmentally responsible,” he stated.
The minister said that there was a need to be ecologically conscious and that it was impossible to reverse the impacts of global climate change, while acknowledging the complexity of the problems.
He added that improper waste disposal, construction on drainages, and obstructed drainages were additional causes of floods.
” I want to assure you that with the commitment of the president , the proactiveness the governor has demonstrated , there will be a permanent solution .
” The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is fully aware of the challenges and will do the needful in terms of palliatives,” he said.
Prof. Utsev, who also spoke, stressed that the president has always been proactive in resolving flooding issues across the country.
He noted that the FG had formed a committee to address Nigeria’s various concerns and is made up of several specialists who were working around the clock to solve the difficulties.
” A team already sent to assess the flooding situation in Isheri , they have gone round and have observed salient challenges
” We are providing solution to flooding in the entire Nigeria , not only in Ogun . We are believing that the solution has come,” he said.
Utsev expressed sympathy for the flood victims, stressing that the FG would respond as soon as possible.
In response, Abiodun thanked the President for answering his plea for an expedient solution to the flooding issue and urged the residents to be patient.
โI want to thank you for your patience and also extend my sympathy to the family those affected and those whose lives were lost. I promised that they have not died in vain that us why you see the level of attention that this place has received in the past one week.
โI also want to plead with you to be patient with us, we are going to be intentional and deliberate in ensuring a solution is found
Speaking on behalf of the Resident Association of Isheri North Community, Mr Akintola Omigbodun thanked the governor and the federal government for their compassion for the people’s predicament and asked for immediate solutions to the community’s flooding problems.
