News

Lagos Warns Kara, Mile 12, Agiliti, Ikosi Ketu, Others Over Oyan Dam Water Release

Published

1 year ago

October 18, 2024

Amid prediction of heavy rainfall, the Lagos State Government has alerted residents, particularly those in flood plains, over the systemic release of water from Oyan Dam by the Ogun Osun River Basin Authority, OORBDA.

The state called on them to relocate to higher and safer grounds to prevent possible loss of lives and properties.

State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated this on Thursday, at a media briefing in Alausa, Ikeja.

According to Wahab, the OORBDA, acknowledged the concerns raised regarding the ongoing water release from the Oyan Dam and its impact on surrounding communities, particularly those along the Ogun River water channels extending into Lagos State.

He explained that OORBDA operates the Oyan Dam in strict compliance with safety protocols to prevent structural damage to the dam and mitigate flood risks.

Wahab noted that it was crucial to understand that the dam’s annual operations are informed by real-time hydrological data, rainfall predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, and flood outlooks from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA.

“These sources guide the water release decisions, ensuring both flood control and the integrity of the dam,” he said.

As detailed in the latest operational report by OORBDA, the total water released from the dam this year, as of October 12, 2024, stands at 1,484.2 million cubic meters (mcm). This remains below the average synthesized annual flow volume of 1,770 mcm.

“Although rainfall across the Oyan River catchment area has been significant, with a cumulative 984.1 mm recorded this year, it remains lower than last year’s 1,540.8 mm and is within safe operational levels.

“The dam is equipped with four radial gates capable of releasing up to 2,271 cubic meters per second (m³/s) during peak periods.

“However, current releases are measured at 208 m³/s, with only two gates opened at 12 per cent capacity each, ensuring controlled and steady discharge.

“Notably, 62.1 per cent of the dam’s flood control capacity remains intact, meaning the Oyan Dam is not under any imminent threat of releasing excess water beyond safe limits. This has been the collaboration of the State with OORBDA.

“Nevertheless, as a responsible State Government, we fully recognize the challenges faced by residents in affected communities, including: Kara, Mile 12, Agiliti, Ikosi Ketu, Owode, Ajegunle, and Odo-Ogun as reported,” he stated.

Wahab, however, stressed that while the flooding experienced in the areas has often been attributed solely to water released from the Oyan Dam, “this is not entirely the case.

“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.

“These tributaries, combined with rain-induced runoff, significantly exacerbate the flood situation. This is a critical point to consider when addressing flood management strategies for this region.

“In an effort to reduce the flood risks and ensure the free flow of water, OORBDA flagged off the dredging of the Ogun River downstream from the Ikorodu to Isheri axis on Friday, September 13, 2024.

“This dredging project is a proactive measure to deepen the river channel and increase its capacity to convey water, thereby reducing the likelihood of flooding during periods of high inflow.”

Meanwhile, Wahab, disclosed that the State had earlier carried out dredging maintenance in the following locations, namely: Ajelogo, Owode-Elede, Ajegunle, and under deck-on-pile of Itowolo Bridge in anticipation of water release by OORBDA.

In addition, some right-of-ways along the catchment areas were protected and restored.

To effectively contain flooding in the state, he stated, “We are determined to maintain the long-established synergy and partnership with OORBDA, which has ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systematic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream communities. This is a mutual relationship which we cherish, and we shall continue to sustain.

“Lagos State Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and collaborate with relevant Agencies and affected communities, to address humanitarian concerns, particularly for vulnerable groups like women, children, the elderly, and people living with disabilities.”

Wahab continued: “We urge Lagosians who reside along flood plains of major rivers and drainage channels to always be on the alert and be ready to relocate to higher grounds when the need arises.

“Meanwhile, the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang under Drainage Maintenance Department of the Ministry have been consistently de-silting and working on secondary collectors and conduits, to enable them discharge efficiently and act as retention basins.

“To our people, we sincerely appeal that they should desist from acts that can lead to flooding. They should stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorized places, throwing pet bottles on the roads, clogging of drains with silt or construction materials, erecting building structures within and around drainage Right of Ways/setbacks, stop discharging human waste into drains/canals which encourages high siltation and vegetal growth that easily clogs our canals as these acts impede the free flow of water.”

The commissioner, therefore, urged residents to report cases of drainage blockages, dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorized places to state Resident Engineers offices statewide in all 20 Local Government Areas and 37Local Council Development Areas to attend to all needs.

Wahab, also appealed to people to support efforts by complementing the State Government through regular clearing of drains in their frontages to ensure free-flow of storm water as well as to desist from dumping of refuse into drainage channels and roads.

News

N200b Agric Credit Dispute: Appeal Court Slams NAIC, Upholds First Bank Victory

Published

1 hour ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, has dismissed the appeal filed by the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) against First Bank of Nigeria in the long-running dispute over the disbursement of the Federal Government’s N200 billion Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme.

The decision was one of seven precedent-setting judgments delivered in six hours on Friday by Justice Okon Abang, underscoring his reputation as a hardworking, firm, and uncompromisingly principled jurist whose rulings continue to shape Nigeria’s legal landscape across criminal, human rights, banking, and civil litigation.

In 2013, the NAIC dragged First Bank before the Federal High Court via originating summons, alleging that the bank failed to deduct the mandatory 2.5 per cent premium under the agriculture credit scheme. First Bank promptly filed a counter-affidavit and written address, with both sides joining issues and exchanging further processes over the years.

But when the case was ripe for hearing, NAIC sought to suddenly withdraw its suit—claiming an unnamed Bankers’ Committee representative had approached it for an out-of-court settlement.

First Bank objected, insisting that once pleadings had been exchanged, withdrawal without consent should lead to dismissal, not a mere striking out. To strike out, the bank argued, would allow NAIC a second bite at the cherry—an abuse of process.

The Federal High Court agreed and dismissed the suit, prompting NAIC to head to the Court of Appeal.

Delivering the unanimous judgment of the Court of Appeal, Justice Abang held that NAIC’s appeal was “grossly misconceived” and that, having seen the bank’s defence, NAIC attempted to retreat and re-strategise, “only being smart, believing that it could cunningly manipulate judicial proceedings to save a suit that appears weak and manifestly unsupported.”

He stressed that, once a defendant’s counter-affidavit has been served, any withdrawal by the claimant must naturally lead to dismissal, not striking out, to avoid overreaching the respondent.

Justice Abang agreed with the trial court that, “Since issues have been joined and the matter has previously been adjourned on several occasions, the proper order to make on the application of the plaintiff is to dismiss the suit.”

The Court of Appeal also questioned NAIC’s reliance on an alleged intervention by the Bankers’ Committee—a non-party that had earlier resisted being joined in the matter.

The appellate court concluded that NAIC, having sighted the bank’s counter-affidavit, simply lost confidence in its case and sought a “soft landing” to refile later.

News

Nigeria Records One Of Africa’s Widest Gaps In Policy Reputation Index

Published

1 hour ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

Nigeria has been identified as one of the African nations suffering the largest disconnect between policy delivery and citizen trust, a finding described as the “defining governance crisis” across the continent, according to the inaugural RPI African Policy Index 2025 released by Reputation Poll International (RPI).

The comprehensive Index, which evaluates governance and policy performance across all 54 African countries, places Nigeria in the middle tier of “Strugglers” with an overall score of 52.3. This category reflects nations that achieve partial policy results but fail to earn public confidence.

Drawing from hard data on policy implementation and perception surveys involving over 25,000 Africans, the report shows that Nigeria records one of the continent’s widest Trust Gaps, sometimes exceeding 25 points between objective performance and citizen confidence.

The report flags Nigeria alongside South Africa, Angola, Egypt, and Zimbabwe as countries with the most severe mismatches.

In Nigeria, anti-corruption laws and other initiatives score reasonably well on paper but fail to inspire public trust due to perceived elite impunity and inconsistent enforcement.

Similar patterns exist across these nations, where oil wealth, infrastructure spending, and progressive legislation do not convince ordinary citizens that governments genuinely serve their interests. This trust deficit is highlighted as Africa’s core governance challenge.

The Index emphasises that without deliberate measures to close the gap—through transparent data, citizen audits, and visible accountability—policy ambitions alone cannot produce stable or legitimate outcomes.

By contrast, a small group of nations scoring above 70 demonstrate that world-class governance is achievable when delivery is matched by citizen belief.

Mauritius leads with 78.9, followed by Seychelles at 76.4, Cabo Verde at 74.8, and Botswana at 73.2. These countries excel because strong economic management, high vaccination rates, transparent institutions, and consistent progress in education and digital reforms are reinforced by equally high public trust.

Botswana and Mauritius succeed not because they are wealthy, but because they systematically include citizens in monitoring and feedback, narrowing the trust deficit to near zero.

Over half of Africa, however, remains far from this standard. The Strugglers tier (50–69.9) encompasses 30 countries, while 18 “Systemic Challengers” score below 50, from Sierra Leone at 49.2 to South Sudan at 28.4.

In these countries, structural breakdowns, chronic insecurity, and collapsed legitimacy produce average Trust Gaps of 35 points, undermining even modest policy efforts amid daily experiences of violence and exclusion.

Central Africa records the lowest regional average at 41.2, while Southern Africa dominates the top tier. West, East, and North Africa deliver mixed results.

For Nigerian leadership, the Index sends a clear message: policy formulation alone is no longer sufficient. As the country grapples with debt, youth unemployment, and climate pressures, bridging the Trust Gap through better communication, transparency, and inclusive monitoring has become essential to achieve sustained development and restore public confidence.

The RPI African Policy Index 2025 stands as both a warning and a roadmap: unless the trust deficit is addressed, Africa’s governance crisis will only deepen.
(GUARDIAN)