Lagos Prepares for Oyan Dam Water Release: Flood Prevention Measures Underway

Lagos Government Urges Residents to Take Precautions

Lagos State's Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab...

Lagos Prepares for Oyan Dam Water Release: Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab assures controlled discharge, dredging of Ogun River, and collaboration with OORBDA to mitigate flood risks. Residents urged to avoid harmful practices.

The Lagos State Government has issued a flood alert, warning residents and property owners along the Ogun River banks to relocate to higher grounds due to the impending staggered release of water from Oyan Dam. This move is aimed at maintaining the dam's integrity and mitigating potential socio-economic impacts on Lagos State, according to Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

Affected Areas Include:

• Ketu
• Alapere
• Agric
• Owode Onirin
• Ajegunle
• Alagbole
• Kara
• Isheri Olowora
• Aaromi Otun Orisha Community
• Agiliti
• Maidan
• Mile 12
• Odo Ogun
• Owode Elede
• Agboyi I, II, III

Residents are advised to take necessary precautions and relocate to safer areas to avoid potential damage to properties and loss of life. Stay safe, Lagos.

The Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) operates the Oyan Dam with strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent structural damage and mitigate flood risks. This ensures the dam's integrity and the safety of surrounding communities.

Statistics on Water Release and Rainfall:

Total Water Released: As of October 12, the total water released from the dam stands at 1,484.2 million cubic meters (mcm), which is below the average annual flow volume of 1,770 mcm.

Rainfall Levels: The cumulative rainfall in the Oyan River catchment area is 984.1 mm this year, significantly lower than last year's 1,540.8 mm.

These figures indicate that the water release and rainfall levels are within safe operational limits, reassuring the public of the authority's commitment to safety and responsible dam management.

Lagos State's Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has reassured residents that the Oyan Dam is equipped to handle potential flooding. The dam boasts four radial gates that can release up to 2,271 cubic meters per second during peak periods, but currently, only two gates are open, releasing 208 cubic meters per second at 12% capacity each. This controlled discharge ensures a steady and safe water flow.

Flood Control Capacity and Safety Measures

Remaining Flood Control Capacity: 62.1% of the dam's flood control capacity remains intact, eliminating any immediate threat of excess water release beyond safe limits.

Collaboration with OORBDA: This safety margin is attributed to the effective collaboration between the State Government and Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA).

Affected Communities and Support

The State Government acknowledges the challenges faced by residents in affected communities, including:

• Kara
• Mile 12
• Agiliti
• Ikosi Ketu
• Owode
• Ajegunle
• Odo-Ogun

Wahab emphasized that while the Oyan Dam's water release contributes to flooding, it's not the sole cause. Instead, a complex network of 52 tributaries converging into the Ogun River also plays a significant role. The government is committed to working with relevant agencies and affected communities to address humanitarian concerns and maintain synergy with OORBDA to prevent flooding.

“However, I want to emphasise that 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,” he said.

“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.”

Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has highlighted that the Ogun River's flooding is not solely caused by the Oyan Dam's water release. Instead, it's also significantly exacerbated by 52 tributaries converging into the river, combined with rain-induced runoff. This critical point must be considered when addressing flood management strategies for the region.

To mitigate flood risks, the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) has initiated the dredging of the Ogun River downstream from Ikorodu to Isheri axis, covering areas like Ajelogo, Owode-Elede, Ajegunle, and under the deck-on-pile of Itowolo Bridge. This effort aims to ensure the free flow of water within the Ogun River system and prevent flooding in communities in Ogun and Lagos States. The dredging project, which began on September 13, 2024, is part of the measures to create a more efficient discharge path for excess water releases from the Oyan Dam.

Key Areas Affected:

• Ajelogo
• Owode-Elede
• Ajegunle
• Itowolo Bridge

OORBDA's Role:

As a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, OORBDA is responsible for developing and managing surface and ground water resources within Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Lagos States. Their efforts focus on quality service delivery in water resources management for sustainable development of the communities.

The Lagos State Government is committed to preventing flooding in communities along the Ogun River banks. To achieve this, they're maintaining their partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, ensuring controlled water release from Oyan Dam. This collaboration has been effective in monitoring and regulating the steady release of water, preventing downstream communities from flooding.

The government will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with relevant agencies and affected communities to address humanitarian concerns. Special attention will be given to vulnerable groups, including 

• Women,
• Children, 
• The Elderly, and 
• People Living with Disabilities

These efforts demonstrate the government's proactive approach to flood management and its commitment to protecting the well-being of its citizens.

Measures to Prevent Flooding:

Maintaining synergy with Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority

Monitoring water release from Oyan Dam

Collaborating with relevant agencies and affected communities

Addressing humanitarian concerns for vulnerable group

To mitigate flooding in Lagos, the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang has been working tirelessly to de-silt and maintain secondary collectors and conduits, ensuring they can discharge efficiently and act as retention basins. This effort is part of the statewide measures to prevent flooding, particularly in areas prone to flooding.

Preventing Flooding: A Collective Responsibility

Lagosians are urged to play their part in preventing flooding by refraining from harmful practices. These include:

Indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorized places

Throwing pet bottles on roads

Clogging drains with silt or construction materials

Erecting building structures within and around drainage right-of-ways/setbacks. 

By avoiding these practices, residents can help ensure the free flow of water and prevent flooding. Additionally, Lagosians are encouraged to report cases of drainage blockages and dumping of waste into canals and unauthorized places to Resident Engineers' offices statewide. Contact information for Drainage Engineers will be made available in all 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.