Don’t blame Oyan Dam for flood – River Basin boss cautions
The Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Dr Deji Ashiru, has cautioned residents of Isheri in the Ifo Local Government Area to stop blaming the Oyan Dam for their plight, and rather appreciate its efforts in controlling the influx of water.
Ashiru stated that without the dam, Isheri and some Abeokuta communities would not exist due to the high risk of flooding.
DAILY POST reports that the flood had sacked residents of Isheri, Arepo, Lafenwa, Warewa, and other adjoining areas along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway from their homes.
Commissioner for Environment Ola Oresanya had urged residents of areas affected by the recent release of water from Oyan Dam to relocate to higher ground.
Meanwhile, Ashiru, on Tuesday, during an engagement with community residents of Isheri, blamed the flooding on the presence of 52 ungated tributaries feeding into the downstream section of Ogun River, causing water levels to rise.
He clarified that the Oyan and Ogun rivers are transboundary, flowing from Port Novo in the Benin Republic and that rising water levels are frequently caused by rainfall in Port Novo rather than water flowing from the Oyan dam