The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has assured the residents of Isheri, Agboyi, and other communities on the border between Lagos and Ogun States that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will find a permanent solution to the recurring issue of flooding.
The government is planning to construct buffer dams to manage the overflow of the Oyan River, which is expected to alleviate the flooding problems in the affected areas.
Already, 33,000 people have been directly affected as a result of the recent flooding in Isheri communities in Ogun and Lagos.
Dr. Edu disclosed that buffer Dams required to empty the Oyan overflow River will be built by the relevant Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
At Isheri, where the community’s monarch and village heads came out en mass to receive her, Edu, assured them of continuous engagement intervention until the problem was solved permanently.
“I bring greetings from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is deeply concerned and has directed me to visit this place to provide immediate relief materials for families affected while we take decisive action to revive the livelihood and small businesses affected by the flood.
The Minister pleaded with the victims of the natural disaster to be patient with the Federal Government as it works with the state to provide a permanent solution to the recurring flooding. The Minister delivered food and non-food relief materials to the traditional rulers and representatives of the Ogun and Lagos state governments.
Together with Hon. Kafila Ogbara, a member of the House of Representatives who represents the Kosofe Federal constituency, the Minister inspected the affected areas at Agboyi Ketu in Lagos.
Dr. Edu, decked in a reflective jacket, navigated the affected areas with a canoe, including Agboyi-Ketu, Owode Onirin, Isheri, Ajegunle, Agiliti, Kara, Majidun, all in Kosofe local government area, and Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area respectively, assured the victims of immediate humanitarian response.
She maintained that the federal government was interested in supporting those who lost their businesses to the flood. According to her, President Tinubu has rolled out many new and existing social intervention programs, including Conditional Cash Transfers, Traders Monies, End Hunger Program, etc to tackle Humanitarian and Poverty Challenges facing Vulnerable Nigerians.
“We are here to assess the extent of the damage caused by the recent flooding in Agboyi-Ketu, Owode Onirin, Isheri, Ajegunle, Agiliti, Kara, Majidun, all in Kosofe and Ketu Agboyi local council areas and to also present food and nonfood items as a form of humanitarian assistance and response.
It is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“The President is deeply touched by this flood challenge and he has promised to bring a permanent solution to this reoccurring problem. We are well aware that beyond these palliatives, what you desire is a permanent solution to this perennial flooding and I shall communicate your message to the Federal Executive Council.
“I want to assure you that talks are ongoing about the construction of buffer Dams to tackle this challenge and when next I’m here, it will be to join other Ministers and Government officials to commission some of these projects that will help to permanently end this problem” Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA
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