The Lagos State Government has asked residents and property owners along the Ogun River banks to prepare for possible relocation to higher grounds.
This comes as the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) begins a staggered release of water from the Oyan Dam.
The Oyan Dam, located in Abeokuta, Ogun State, spans 4,000 hectares and has a catchment area of 9,000 square kilometers.
Speaking to journalists in Ikeja, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the water release is crucial for maintaining the dam’s integrity and mitigating its socio-economic impact on Lagos State.
Wahab explained that the dam’s operations are guided by real-time hydrological data, rainfall predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and flood outlooks from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). These sources inform water release decisions, balancing flood control with dam integrity.
The commissioner acknowledged concerns about the potential impact of the water release on surrounding communities, especially those along the Ogun River channels that extend into Lagos.
Wahab added that a detailed report from OORBDA shows that, as of October 12, 2024, the total water released this year stands at 1,484.2 million cubic meters (mcm), below the annual average flow volume of 1,770 mcm.
While rainfall across the Oyan River catchment has been significant, totaling 984.1 mm this year, Wahab noted that this figure remains lower than last year’s 1,540.8 mm and is within safe operational levels.
He also outlined the dam’s capacity to manage water release. Equipped with four radial gates, the dam can discharge up to 2,271 cubic meters per second (m³/s) during peak periods. Currently, only two gates are open at 12 percent capacity each, with a controlled release rate of 208 m³/s.
According to Wahab, 62.1 percent of the dam’s flood control capacity remains intact, ensuring that no excess water is released beyond safe limits. This outcome is the result of close collaboration between the State and OORBDA.
The commissioner also recognized the challenges faced by residents in affected communities, such as Kara, Mile 12, Agiliti, Ikosi Ketu, Owode, Ajegunle, and Odo-Ogun.
He further explained that these tributaries, combined with rain-induced runoff, play a significant role in the region’s flood dynamics.
“While the flooding experienced in these areas has often been attributed solely to water released from the Oyan Dam, this is not entirely the case; In reality, the downstream section of the Ogun River is influenced by a complex network of over 52 tributaries, all of which converge and contribute to rising water levels in the affected areas,” Wahab stated, according to a statement by Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Kunle Adeshina.
To address flooding effectively, Wahab underscored the state’s commitment to maintaining a longstanding partnership with OORBDA. This collaboration facilitates the systematic and controlled release of water from the Oyan Dam, thereby helping to protect downstream communities from severe flooding.