Ogun State Government has cautioned residents of lowland areas affected by flooding, including Isheri, Warewa, Magboro, and Arepo among others against drinking from well and borehole waters in the areas to prevent cholera and other waterborne diseases.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, gave the warning when he made an inspection tour of the affected areas with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problem.

Oresanya said the plea is vitally important as the flood has contaminated water sources and facilities through chemical contaminants such as fuel, pesticides, metals as well as pathogens in sewage, cemeteries, septic tanks and dead animals.

He disclosed that the state government will commence another round of dredging and clearing of drainage and waterways in the affected areas.

The commissioner blamed the flooding on uncontrolled development and carefree attitude of some residents to critical environmental issues such as waste management.

“Some residents are so inconsiderate that they built on waterways on the guise of having approvals. Even if they have the approvals, it would have been given in error through bad advise to the approving authorities.

“The present government is however, determined to correct these anomalies as the identified buildings and structures would be removed in the larger interest of other residents,” he said.

Oresanya also debunked some residents’ belief that excess release of water from Oyan Dam in Abeokuta led to the flooding in the border towns.

He enjoined residents to always heed government’s environmental directives so that they would always live in safe and healthy environment at all times.

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