Ogun orders 40 communities to relocate before flood disaster

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun

THE Ogun State Government has appealed to residents living in flood-prone areas across the state to relocate before heavy rain begins in the state.

The government listed not less than 40 communities in 10 local government areas across the state as places that would be affected in view of prediction on impending flood disaster.

The 40 affected communities in 10 councils include Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Ifo, Obafemi Owode, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ado-Odo/Ota, Yewa South, Ogun Waterside and Ogun East.

The government’s appeal is coming barely four weeks after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had predicted that some states, including Ogun, would experience heavy flooding from September.

The Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, during a press briefing in Abeokuta on Monday, advised residents of the 40 communities to relocate temporarily to safer places as part of moves to protect lives and property.

The commissioner noted that the advice was in the best interest of the affected residents.

He added, “Whether they are living on illegal structures or not, we shall continue to make sure that government protects them. That is not to say those structures will not go. Those structures will give way.”