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The Federal Government has assured of a permanent solution to flooding challenges currently facing the Isheri community in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, and the Minister of State for Environment, Isiaq Salako, gave the assurance during an on-the-spot assessment of the flooded community.
Salako said plans were on the way to find a permanent solution to the perennial flooding always experienced by the Isheri community. He said President Bola Tinubu was aware of the problem and had been proactive in addressing it.
“The president is aware of this problem. He fully understands where the problem is and he has been very proactive in addressing the problem. I believe we will find a permanent solution to the problem,” he said.
Salako further said there was the need to undertake a comprehensive study for the flooding problems to be permanently solved.
“This is to understand what needs to be done in a way that will bring about a solution. We should understand what we need to do with the Ogun River, the dams, how we will ensure we expand our drainages and lift our roads and our people to change their habits and be more environmentally-responsible,” he said.
Salako said the problems were multi-faceted, pointing out that the result of climate change being experienced globally could not be reversed. But he insisted there was the need to be environmentally-responsible. The minister pointed out that building on drainages, blocking of drainages and improper disposal of wastes were also factors responsible for flooding.
“I want to assure that with the commitment of the president, and the pro-activeness the Ogun State governor has demonstrated, there will be a permanent solution.
“Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is fully aware of the challenges and will do the needful in terms of palliatives,” he said.
Utsev said President Tinubu had always been proactive and ready to solve flooding issues across the country. He said the Federal Government had set up a committee that was working entirely on different challenges of Nigeria.
The minister said the committee was made up of different experts who were working round the clock to find solutions to the problems.
“A team has already been sent to assess the flooding situation in Isheri. The members have gone round and have observed salient challenges.”
“We are providing a solution to flooding in the entire Nigeria, not only in Ogun. We believe the solution has come,” he said.
Utsev sympathised with the victims of the flood, saying the Federal Government would do the needful as soon as possible.
In his response, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the formulation of a drainage master plan as a major initiative to address long-standing drainage issues in the region.
He thanked President Tinubu’s swift response to his government’s call in finding an immediate solution to the flooding problem.
“With a well-designed drainage master plan and proper channelisation of rivers, the region can effectively manage excess water flow and prevent it from affecting the residents,” he said.
The governor, however, said any building built on drainage channels would be pulled down to allow a free flow of water.
Akintola Omigbodun, while speaking on behalf of the Residents Association of Isheri North Community, thanked the governor and the Federal Government for showing concern to the people’s plight.
He pleaded for an immediate solution to the flooding challenges in the community.
