Flood threat:  Ogun border community cries out over opening Oyan River dam

• Seeks speedy completion of Denro Bridge

Worried by flood threat as a result of the opening of Oyan River dam in Abeokuta, residents of Denro -Ishashi community, an Ogun border town, have called on the state government to speed up the ongoing construction of Denro bridge in the area.

 “Heavy rains create a small river, but the dam turns it into an ‘ocean’, as is presently the case.
 “ Crossing this ‘ocean’ requires boarding a canoe at the cost of N100 but this requires that one walks a few steps into the ‘ocean’, for like ships on high seas, the canoes don’t dock on shallow water,” he said.
     
Another resident,  Kehinde Ajao, said  residents now climb on the backs of handfuls of young men, who have capitalised the situation to make ends meet.
 
According to her, to cross the flooded road, one has to pay the young men to back you for a fee of N100 ,  an awkward practice that requires residents,  old and young, to climb the young men’s backs to be carried like babies.
 
“But  this is even dangerous, because the water level is well above the knee and the path is stony and rough. A little stumble and both the ‘backer’ and the ‘backed’ could find themselves at the bottom of the dirty ‘ocean’, she lamented.
   
“Life is a daily struggle in Denro-Ishashi on account of neglect by successive governments in  Ogun State. To make matters worse, the bridge construction caved in, leading to the overflowing of the water.  

“In March, last year, houses and shops were taken down by the government to build an overhead bridge connecting to the main road, to ensure easy passage for motorists and pedestrians whenever the dam is opened. This rendered many residents in the area homeless and jobless, but the thought of having a good road that would facilitate development in the area was a source of joy and hope for land owners. Yet, over a year after, the bridge is yet to be completed and the residents are still subjected to a flood during the rainy season or when the dam is opened.

Contacted, Ogun State commissioner for environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said the state is aware of the present condition of the area and is doing everything possible to ensure that the construction work continues. He said: “We are aware of the situation and we are trying to solve the problem in the area. We visited the place last week, construction work is ongoing and we are not relenting.”