RESIDENTS of communities abutting the bank of Ogun River have been warned of dangers posed by the visible high rise in water level, following what the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority described as precautionary release of water from Oyan Dam.

The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, who gave this warning, said a visit to some of the communities in the Ogun River catchment area within Lagos State such as Ikosi-Ketu, Mile 12, Agilti, Thomas Laniyan Estate, Owode Elede, Owode Onirin, Agboyi, Odogun and Maidan, showed that some properties had been taken over by water.

Dr Banire, while noting that the recent experiences of Pakistan, China and some states in Nigeria such as Kano, Ogun and others, where thousands of lives and property were lost to flood were enough reasons for any responsive government to be apprehensive of the damage a ravaging flood could wreck on lives and properties, suggesting proactive measures to avert any untoward occurrence.

This, he said, was responsible for the concern of the Lagos State government and the frequent update of the residents on developments on the river to ensure safety of lives and property.

The commissioner implored residents to be vigilant and report any threat for quick responses.

He added that the development was being closely monitored, while all emergency service providers had been put on the alert.

The Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority had in a letter Ref. No. O-ORBDA/S/08D/Vol.3/442 to the Lagos State government signed by the Deputy Director, Operations and Maintenance, Mr Akin Soyemi, solicited the assistance of the state government in creating awareness and sensitisation of members of the public in Lagos State, especially those along the banks of the Ogun river.

According to the letter, “there is a need for release of water from the reservoir which had been increasing and rising in the face of heavy rainfall in recent weeks.”