Lagos Govt issues flood alert as Oyan Dam begins water release
…Urges residents to relocate to higher ground amid flood management measures
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Government has alerted residents living along the Ogun River banks to prepare for possible evacuation as the Ogun Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) commences a staggered release of water from the Oyan Dam.
This precautionary measure was announced by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, during a press briefing at Alausa, Ikeja.
Wahab emphasised the need for vigilance, stating, “Lagosians need to be alerted on the commencement of release of water to maintain the sanctity of the dam and its socio-economic implications for Lagos State.”
He explained that the dam’s operations are informed by “real-time hydrological data, rainfall predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and flood outlooks from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).”
As of October 12, 2024, a total of 1,484.2 million cubic meters of water had been released from the dam this year, which is still below the average annual flow volume of 1,770 million cubic meters.
Wahab assured residents that “the dam is equipped with four radial gates capable of releasing up to 2,271 cubic meters per second during peak periods,” noting that current releases are measured at 208 m³/s with only two gates opened at 12 percent capacity each.
He acknowledged the concerns of residents in affected communities such as Kara, Mile 12, and Agiliti, stating, “However, I want to emphasise that while the flooding experienced in these areas has often been attributed solely to water released from the Oyan Dam, this is not entirely the case.”
Wahab explained that the “downstream section of the Ogun River is influenced by a complex network of over 52 tributaries, all of which converge and contribute to rising water levels in the affected areas.”
In response to the situation, OORBDA has initiated dredging projects to enhance the river’s capacity to manage increased water flow, including work from Ikorodu to Isheri. Wahab described this as a proactive measure, stating, “The dredging project was a proactive measure to deepen the river channel and increase its capacity to convey water, thereby reducing the likelihood of flooding during periods of high inflow.”
He urged community cooperation, saying, “I wish to appeal once again to our people to support our efforts by complementing the State Government through regular clearing of drains in their frontages to ensure free flow of stormwater.”
He also appealed to Lagosians to “desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places,” stressing the importance of reporting drainage blockages.
