8th October, 2010
Following the massive flooding in Ajegunle area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, South West of Nigeria, the Lagos State Government has placed on alert emergency agencies to respond to any disaster in the area.
The Ogun River has overflown its banks after the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority released water from the Oyan Dam into the river.
About nine communities in Ajegunle abutting the Ogun River have been massively flooded as houses and public places have been taken over by water.
Canoes and boats are now means of transporting people living in the area from one place to another, yet, the residents said they were not ready to evacuate the area and that they could cope with the incident.
There are palpable fears that the flood might be disastrous and lead to untold outbreak of epidemics.
To ensure that no life is lost, the state government has drafted the officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Services, LASAMBUS and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA to the area to keep 24-hour surveillance in order to nip any disaster in the bud.
General Manager, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu told P.M.NEWS that Lagos was on top of the situation and that it was prepared to nip in the bud any unforeseen disaster.
According to him, the communities had refused to move, saying they could cope with the current problem they were facing, adding that if the people refused to move, they could not be forced to do so.
“We have gone there to create awareness about epidemics that may break out as a result of the presence of water in the area.  Our people are not displaced but we are watching critically. My men are visiting the scene and are taking measures to ensure that that there is safety if the water level is high.  If the people are displaced, we have a relief camp to take them to. The camp can accommodate between 500 to 1,000 people,†he said.
Oke-Osanyintolu added that “right now, we are watching; we have talked to their leaders.   We are monitoring and carrying out campaign about the possibility of an outbreak of cholera.
“When the people are saying that they don’t want to move, what do you do? When it gets to a stage to be associated with mortality and morbidity, we will take action.â€Â Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire had also implored residents to be vigilant and report any threat for quick response, adding that the situation was being closely monitored, while all emergency service providers have been put on the alert.The Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority had in a letter to the Lagos State Government signed by the Deputy Director, Operations and Maintenance, Engr. Akin Soyemi, solicited the assistance of the state government in creating awareness and sensitising members of the public in Lagos State, especially those along the banks of the Ogun River that as a result of increase in rainfall in recent weeks, the reservoir level at Oyan Dam has been increasing steadily and that there was the need to release part of the water into Ogun River.
—Kazeem Ugbodaga