Ogun state government in collaboration with the federal government has resolved to take pragmatic actions towards finding lasting solutions to the recurrent flooding in Isheri and its environs.

The minister of state for environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, made this known while speaking during a stakeholder’s meeting at OPIC Building, Isheri, on Thursday.

Mr Salako said the FG would strategies to address the challenge headlong, adding that flooding at Isheri had been a persistent issue that could not be resolved with a “fire brigade” approach.

The minister contended that flooding could be averted if the people would abide by environmental rules and desist from erecting structures on drainages.

He disclosed that a good amount had been budgeted to give palliatives to residents of the affected area.

“The approach of the Federal Government is to look at the problem in-depth and come out with a permanent solution.

We have, therefore, spoken with some consultants and they have told us that they will need to assess the problem from Oyan Dam up to where Ogun River empties into the Atlantic Ocean,” he said.

In his remarks, the state commissioner for environment, Ola Oresanya, said the challenge required channelisation of the Ogun River.

 He stated that Gov. Dapo Abiodun had inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee to oversee the implementation.

The chairmen, Isheri Community Development Association, Gbenga Osoba; River View Estate, Abayomi Akinde; and the general secretary, Lagos/Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Olanrewaju Smith, jointly appreciated governments’ intention.

They praised both the state and federal governments for the steps taken to cross-fertilise ideas on their plans.

 (NAN)