By Abiodun Lawal
The Federal Government says it is untrue that water released from the Oyan Dam in Ogun was responsible for the flooding experienced annually in some parts of Ogun and Lagos.
Prof. Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, made the claim while speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta on Tuesday after an on-the-spot assessment of facilities at Oyan Dam.
Utsev declared that dams were mainly responsible for the control of flooding and irrigation for agricultural purposes, and the Oyan Dam could not have been responsible for the flooding.
“The condition of the 270 million cubic water reservoir is perfect and it could not have caused the recent flooding in the states,” he said.
The minister however said the Federal Government was working on a document to help it in controlling flooding across the country.
He urged governments of states affected by flooding to evolve measures that would control their citizens and prevent them from building and dumping refuse on waterways.
“The annual flooding occurrence should not be blamed on the release of water from any of the dams in the country. We should rather look at other causes.”
Utsev further stated that his ministry had commenced a partial commercialisation of all the river basin dams across the country.
He said the decision was part of measures to enhance agriculture as well as boost the economy in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for self-sufficiency and food security.
While speaking during a meeting with Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun in his office, the minister enjoined the state government to key into the “Clean Environment” programme of his ministry.
“The programme provides for eradication and zero tolerance of open defecation. Our ministry will readily partner with Ogun towards achieving that,” he said.
In his remarks, Abiodun solicited Federal Government’s intervention in bringing succour to the communities affected by flooding in the state.
The governor emphasised that the state lacked the professional expertise and the financial muscle to tackle flooding.
Abiodun asked the minister to prevail on the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority management to ensure the agency’s activities do not constitute a danger to the lives of Ogun residents.
“The state is ready to cooperate with the ministry on whatever measure it is planning that will make the Federal Government achieve its goal of eradicating open defecation in the state, particularly when it is a matter that concerns the health of the citizens,” he said.(NAN)
