By Iroyin Yoruba Television
Residents of Enwan and Akuku communities in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed for urgent government intervention after the overflow of the Ojirami Dam caused flooding that destroyed homes, farmland, businesses and other property worth millions of naira.
The latest flooding has renewed concerns among residents about the condition and management of the more than 50-year-old dam, particularly as heavy rainfall continues in the area.
The affected communities are located around the Ojirami Dam, a major water infrastructure facility in Akoko-Edo that was originally constructed to provide water for surrounding communities and support agricultural activities.
Residents said the latest incident followed days of heavy rainfall, which caused water levels around the facility to rise and eventually resulted in flooding in parts of Enwan and Akuku.
Several homes were reportedly affected, with floodwater entering buildings and destroying household belongings.
Businesses and agricultural activities were also disrupted.
One of the most significant reported losses involved a poultry farm where approximately 1,400 birds were swept away by floodwater.
The affected poultry farmer said the flooding occurred after the dam was opened and water subsequently overflowed into the surrounding area.
The loss represents a major economic setback for the affected farmer because poultry production requires substantial investment in birds, feed, housing, medication, equipment and labour.
For a small-scale farmer, losing an entire flock can eliminate a major source of household income and create significant difficulty in restarting operations.
Other residents also reported damage to their homes and property.
Community representatives said several houses in Enwan and Akuku were filled with water, leaving residents to assess losses to household possessions and other valuables.
The flooding has also raised concerns about farmland because many residents depend on agriculture as a major source of livelihood.
When floodwater covers farmland, farmers can lose crops that have already absorbed months of labour and financial investment.
Flooding can also prevent farmers from reaching their farms, delay planting or harvesting activities and damage roads used to transport agricultural products to markets.
The consequences can therefore extend beyond the immediate destruction caused by the water.
The residents are particularly concerned because the communities have experienced serious flooding associated with the dam in the past.
The Odafe of Enwan, His Royal Highness Peter Okara, recalled that the community experienced a major disaster in August 1980.
That historical experience has intensified anxiety among residents whenever water levels rise around the facility.
Community members are now asking authorities to take the current situation seriously and prevent the latest flooding from developing into a larger disaster.
One of their major concerns is the reported condition of the dam's workforce.
Residents alleged that many of the workers previously stationed at the facility have retired and were not replaced.
They argued that the absence of sufficient personnel could make it more difficult to monitor water levels and operate the infrastructure effectively during periods of heavy rainfall.
The community leadership has consequently called on the Edo State Government to deploy qualified personnel to the facility and ensure that the dam is properly managed.
The appeal is not limited to flood control.
Residents also want the dam's original water-supply function to be restored and properly managed so that communities around the facility can benefit from potable water.
The demand reflects the complicated situation surrounding the Ojirami Dam.
The facility was designed to serve communities in Akoko-Edo with water, but residents have continued to face concerns about access to reliable water services.
A dam that was intended to support communities can become a source of danger if its infrastructure deteriorates or if water levels are not adequately controlled.
The current incident therefore presents both an emergency response issue and a longer-term infrastructure-management challenge.
Flooding in communities around dams can produce immediate humanitarian consequences.
Residents may be forced out of their homes, children may struggle to attend school, businesses may close temporarily and roads may become difficult or impossible to use.
The loss of agricultural and commercial assets can also affect household incomes long after floodwaters recede.
For communities where many families operate small businesses or depend directly on farming, such losses can be particularly damaging.
The economic impact may also spread through the local market.
When farmers lose livestock or crops, traders and transporters can experience reduced activity.
When shops and businesses are flooded, owners may lose both merchandise and income.
When roads are affected, transportation costs can increase and access to markets can become more difficult.
The result can be a wider disruption of economic activity throughout the community.
The latest flooding also highlights the importance of early warning systems.
Communities located near dams and waterways need timely information when water levels rise or when controlled releases are necessary.
Early warnings can give residents time to move valuable property, relocate livestock and, where necessary, leave vulnerable areas.
Without adequate communication, residents may only become aware of the danger when floodwater has already entered their homes or businesses.
The history of flooding around Ojirami makes such preparedness especially important.
The immediate priority for the affected communities is assistance.
Residents have asked the Edo State Government and relevant emergency-management authorities to assess the damage and provide support.
Such an assessment would help determine the number of households affected, the extent of property damage and the needs of farmers and business owners.
Emergency assistance could include temporary shelter, food, clean water and other basic necessities for residents whose homes have been affected.
Agricultural and livelihood support may also become necessary if losses are confirmed.
For farmers who have lost livestock or crops, assistance aimed at rebuilding their livelihoods could help prevent the flooding from developing into a longer-term economic crisis.
The condition of the dam itself will also require technical attention.
Authorities need to establish why water levels reached the point that caused the latest flooding and determine whether additional measures are required before further heavy rainfall.
Engineers and water-management specialists can assess the facility and recommend measures for controlling water levels and improving its safety.
Residents have specifically called for the deployment of personnel to the dam.
Regular monitoring can help authorities identify problems early and ensure that operational decisions are based on accurate information about water levels and weather conditions.
The issue also raises questions about maintenance.
Infrastructure constructed decades ago requires continuous maintenance if it is to remain safe and functional.
Mechanical equipment, gates, drainage systems and other components can deteriorate over time.
Where maintenance is delayed, the risks can increase, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.
The Ojirami Dam's age makes regular technical assessment particularly important.
The dam was constructed more than five decades ago, meaning that its infrastructure has been exposed to years of weather, water pressure and mechanical use.
Age alone does not mean that a dam is unsafe, but older infrastructure requires consistent inspection, maintenance and investment.
The current incident provides an opportunity for authorities to review the facility comprehensively.
Such a review should consider not only the immediate flooding but also the dam's broader role in supplying water to surrounding communities.
If properly managed, the facility could provide significant benefits.
A reliable water supply could support households, agriculture and other economic activities in the area.
However, those benefits depend on infrastructure that is adequately maintained and operated.
The communities' request for potable water also highlights the need to examine whether the facility is currently fulfilling its intended purpose.
Water infrastructure can contribute to public health and economic development when it provides dependable access to clean water.
Residents should not have to choose between living with unreliable water supplies and facing risks associated with poorly managed infrastructure.
The current emergency therefore presents an opportunity for government authorities to address both problems.
Community involvement will also be important.
Residents living around the dam possess local knowledge about rainfall patterns, flooding routes and changes in water levels.
Their observations can complement technical monitoring by government agencies.
Establishing reliable communication channels between communities and emergency authorities could improve preparedness during future periods of heavy rainfall.
Community leaders can also help communicate evacuation instructions and other safety information when necessary.
At the same time, residents should follow official safety instructions and avoid taking unnecessary risks around flooded areas.
Floodwater can conceal damaged roads, open drainage channels and other hazards.
People should also exercise caution when attempting to retrieve property or livestock from flooded areas.
The government response will be closely watched by residents because the latest flooding has revived memories of previous disasters.
A prompt assessment and visible intervention could reassure affected communities that the authorities are taking the situation seriously.
A delayed response, on the other hand, could increase anxiety, particularly if rainfall continues and water levels rise again.
The wider lesson from the Ojirami situation is that infrastructure serving communities must be treated as a continuing responsibility rather than a one-time project.
Dams, roads, bridges, drainage systems and water-treatment facilities require investment long after their construction.
Maintenance costs may appear smaller than the cost of rebuilding after a major disaster, but neglect can eventually create much larger economic and humanitarian consequences.
For Enwan and Akuku residents, the immediate concern is recovery from the latest flooding.
Families must assess damaged property, farmers must determine the extent of agricultural losses and business owners must consider how to resume operations.
For the authorities, the priority should be preventing another incident while supporting those already affected.
A comprehensive response should combine emergency assistance with technical assessment, maintenance, staffing and improved flood preparedness.
The Ojirami Dam has a long history and an important role in the surrounding area.
Its future management will have direct consequences for communities that depend on it for water and livelihoods while also living with the risks associated with its operation.
The latest overflow is therefore more than an isolated flooding incident.
It is a warning about the consequences that can arise when ageing infrastructure, heavy rainfall, community vulnerability and inadequate maintenance intersect.
Residents of Enwan and Akuku are now asking the government to act before the situation becomes more serious.
Their appeal is for immediate relief, proper management of the dam and measures that will protect lives, homes, farms and businesses.
The response in the coming days will determine whether the latest flooding becomes another temporary setback for the communities or the beginning of a more comprehensive effort to make Ojirami Dam safer and more useful to the people it was built to serve.