Ogun state government has advised residents of the state to prepare for rainy season and complement its efforts to rid the state of flood.
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), had predicted that there would be two seasons of rainfall between April and December 2022.
The agencies also predicted that Ogun, being a coastal State, will experience prolonged rainfall that may be accompanied with flash floods in most part of the state, between June and July.
The coastal flooding may be compounded with the release of water from Oyan dam that is always accompanied with high tide in the lagoon,the agencies added.
The rainfall should not be seen as a curse but a blessing to the state,Engineer Ola Oresanya, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment,advised the residents on Thursday at a news conference.
There was the need for the resident to be adequately prepared for the season and tap into its opportunities,he added.
Farmers and other inhabitants,he said,should be properly aware of the periodic weather, stressing that they should take advantage of the season and also guide against any unfortunate occurrence.
He advised those in the habit of dumping refuse on the road and in drainage channels to stop,while appealing to residents in the flood-prone areas to take adequate steps in safeguarding the vulnerable members in their communities, such as children, the elderly and the handicapped.
According to him,the Community Development Associations (CDA) should educate their members on the need to always and properly evacuate their drainages in order to remove properties constituting restrictions to drainage channels.
He added:“Following these predictions, there is a need for the general 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 Government are advised to take precautionary measures during the season.
“While reiterating the commitment to protection of lives and properties of residents of the State 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 livestocks.
“Motorists and pedestrians are implored to be mindful of the peculiarities of the season and be safety conscious while commuting during the period.Furthermore, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of the state has directed that the Flood Emergency Management Unit, (FEMU) be decentralized into all the Local Government Areas of the State for faster response to emergency calls during the raining season.
