IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF DAM WATER RELEASE BY OGUN-OSUN RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (ORBDA)

 

The NEMA lagos Territorial Office LTO on 11 October, 2024 commenced monitoring and assessment of rising water level across many communities along river water channels that link Ogun State and some communities in Lagos State. the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (ORBDA) which is responsible for the release of the dam water and had earlier advised residents living in flood prone areas, particularly along riverbanks, to temporarily relocate or brace for potential flooding ahead of the planned release of water from the dam. This was done as part of the measures to prevent the dam from collapse.
Currently, the water level is increasing on a daily basis thereby causing submergence of houses, roads, loss of farm lands, disruption of socio-economic activities and displacement of families. Communities impacted are Kara, Ikosi ketu, Mile 12, Ajegunle, Owode,, Odo-Ogun and Agboyi. At Itowolu, a community primary school has been partially submerged despite the pathway being raised with a wooden plank for the pupils and teachers to move from one place to another. More importantly, the debris and water hyacinth plants carried along by the flood water have caused blockage under one of the bridges along Ikorodu axis posing a risk of structural defects.
The condition of many children, women, people Living with Disability (PLWD) and the aged is not good as most of them do not have access to basic support such as clean water, food and non-food items.
The LTO in collaboration with LASEMA and the affected communities will be meeting to discuss the humanitarian area of concern, as part of the measures to prevent the escalation of the flood situation.
.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *