Residents of Isheri in the Ifo Local Government Area have been warned by Dr. Deji Ashiru, Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, to cease blaming the Oyan Dam for their predicament and instead to respect its efforts to regulate the water influx.
Ashiru said that because of the significant risk of flooding, Isheri and several settlements in Abeokuta would not exist without the dam.
Along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the flood destroyed the houses of people in Isheri, Arepo, Lafenwa, Warewa, and other nearby communities.
Residents in regions impacted by the recent water discharge from Oyan Dam were asked to move to higher ground by Environment Commissioner Ola Oresanya.
During an interview with Isheri community members on Tuesday, Ashiru blamed the flooding on the existence of 52 ungated tributaries that pour into the Ogun River’s downstream part, raising water levels.
He explained that the Oyan and Ogun rivers are transboundary and originate in the Benin Republic’s Port Novo. Rainfall in Port Novo, not water from the Oyan dam, is often the source of rising water levels.
According to Ashiru, the agency has been releasing over 17.4 million cubic meters of water per day for the past two months in order to manage the water flow into Oyan Dam and prevent its collapse.
He said:
“The reality is that without Oyan Dam, Isheri, situated on a flood plain, and parts of Abeokuta would have been submerged.
“The people of Isheri should consider Oyan Dam a blessing rather than criticising it. Without the dam managing the flow, Isheri and some Abeokuta communities would be at high risk.
“Oyan Dam was built to control flooding and erosion. I have repeatedly explained that the 52 ungated tributaries downstream of Oyan Dam are the major cause of the flooding we’re experiencing in Isheri.
“Now, the saving grace they have in Isheri is Oyan Dam because that’s the only dam that is gated and controls the water flow upstream. Both Oyan and Ogun Rivers are transboundary, entering Nigeria from Port Novo. Even without rainfall in Nigeria, heavy rain in Port Novo increases water levels.
“The dam controls this influx, unlike the 52 tributaries flowing freely downstream. Without Oyan Dam, Isheri might not exist as it does today, as the dam manages the upstream erosion and flooding.”
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cc: Daily Post Ng