In a bid to provide relief to residents affected by the devastating coastal floods in Ogun State, the state government has opened the campgrounds of prominent religious organizations, including the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, and the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry. These sites will serve as temporary shelters for those forced to abandon their homes due to the flooding.

The state’s Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Oladimeji Oresanya, emphasized the importance of a coordinated response in a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH. He urged residents who wish to evacuate to contact both the state’s emergency response teams and the National Emergency Management Agency, which would dispatch officials to assist them in the relocation process.

The flooding crisis, caused by a confluence of factors, including rising sea levels, heavy rainfall, and the release of water from the Oyan dam, has forced over 100 landlords to evacuate their properties, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Mr. Paschal Uchendu, one of the affected landlords, described this flooding as even more severe than the 2019 event, with the inundation of his own home compelling him to leave. Warewa Road, a vital local artery, has also been cut off by the rising waters, exacerbating the challenges faced by residents.

Mr. Abayomi Akinde, a landlord and Chairman of the Riverview Estate Residents and Stakeholders Association, shared the dire situation within his estate, where many homeowners have been compelled to flee. He highlighted the devastating impact of the flooding, lamenting the unfulfilled promises of past visits by former President Goodluck Jonathan and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who pledged to address the recurring issue.

In response, Commissioner Oresanya clarified that the government had previously advised residents in coastal areas to either evacuate or raise their homes and roads to adapt to the terrain. He further disclosed that most churches in the state, such as RCCG and MFM, had opened their hostels to accommodate displaced residents temporarily, with state and national emergency management agencies providing relief materials.

While addressing the root causes of the perennial flooding, Oresanya refuted the notion that it was solely attributable to the Oyan dam’s water releases.

In neighboring Lagos State, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, sought to ease concerns among residents along the Ogun-Osun riverbank. He assured them of the state’s readiness to handle any potential complications stemming from the intensified flow of runoff water from upstream areas into Lagos. Wahab underscored the need for homeowners in flood-prone zones to relocate promptly to higher ground for their safety.

The situation remains a pressing concern, and both state governments are working to manage the crisis and support affected residents.