by Isi Esene

The National Population Commission (NPC) Federal Commissioner, Seyi Aderinokun-Olusanya, has alerted the Ogun State government of an impending population explosion in the state according to records available to the commission.

She said this at a press conference organised to mark this year’s Population Day celebration.

Aderinokun-Olusanya explained that the fast increase in population can be attributed to the influx of people from neighbouring states.

Ogun State suffers the residual effects of the already over-bloated population of Lagos State due to it proximity to the nation’s former capital. Many people who work in Lagos commute from the state daily putting a strain on its decaying infrastructure.

The rate of infrastructural development is, however, not commensurate with the increase in population.

“It is imperative for the state government to start preparing its budget to meet up with the challenges associated with population growth in the interest of the citizens and residents,” Aderinokun-Olusanya urged.

She warned that the state might find it difficult to cope with the increase by 2013 if adequate measures are not put in place to contain the inflow.

According to Premium Times, she revealed the commission’s readiness to assist the government by giving out regular statistics to help it make its projection, adding that the state government should endeavour to collaborate with the commission.

Let’s hope the relevant authorities in the state are listening in order to defuse the impending explosion before it ‘blows up’ in their faces.