• Issues fresh update for residents of Ikoyi, Lekki, others
Sequel to renewed fears by residents over ravaging flooding nationwide, Lagos State over the weekend convened a meeting of all critical stakeholders to evaluate the state’s preparedness for any eventuality, with a resolution that while Lagos is not totally immune from flooding, the state will continue to effectively manage its situation.
Addressing the meeting at Alausa Secretariat, which was convened on the directives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello said now is the time for all enforcement arms of the state to step up their supervisory roles.
According to him, the enforcement impact must be felt by recalcitrant people and institutions who have defied government’s warnings and built structures on drainage alignments, flood plains and low lying areas, now more than before.
He said despite the fact that Lagos is a coastal city with almost one third of its total landmass under water, what it experiences after each bout of heavy rainfall is flash flooding, which will recede few hours after the cessation of such rainfalls.
While sympathising with all those who suffered one form of loss or another nationwide due to the prevalence of flooding, Bello said Lagos is constantly monitoring the Ogun River, which flows directly into the Lagos Lagoon.
He said: “ The Seasonal Rainfall Pattern for 2022 released earlier in the year by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predicted that the peak of the resurgent rainfall for the year will be in October.
“Lagos may be susceptible to dangers of flooding with the periodic release of rain water from Oyan dam by the managers, the Ogun Oshun River Basin Development Authority to maintain the sanctity of the dam and which may increase the level of water of the lagoon.
“As a result of this development, residents of all identified areas like Ketu, Alapere, Agric, Owode onirin, Ajegunle, Alagbole, Kara, Isheri olowora, Araromi Otun orisha community, Agiliti, Maidan, Mile 12, Odo ogun, Owode elede, Agboyi 1, Agboyi II, Agboyi III, which are banks to the Ogun River are again being alerted to be ready and alert to relocate at any given time.
“What many fail to realise is that the position and location of Lagos State on the map makes the Lagos Lagoon the convergence point of all water from the Ogun River, Ona Ibu River, Osun River, Sasha River that run across many South West States.
“The state is also working in concert with the Ogun Oshun River Basin Development Authority to ensure that rain water releases that pass through the Oyan dam have minimal negative impact on the residents.
“The state through the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources is embarking on massive dredging and cleaning of all primary and secondary collectors across the state.
“This is in addition to construction of new channels as well as deployment of the quick response Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) to free up manholes and black spots to ensure that the drains perform at optimum capacity to be able to contain runoffs.
Also, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engineer Nurudeen Shodeinde assured residents that the state Government is upping the ante in terms of its preparedness on a 24/7 basis.
He gave kudos to the State Governor for always providing the financial wherewithal to the Ministry, which has enabled it actualise many of its plans and programmes to ensure a flood free Lagos.
He also said other residents living along major drainage channels of System 1 to 169 round the state must also be wary of the effects of flash flooding.
He recalled that a few days ago, areas like Oko Oba, Abattoir and Aboru in Alimosho were flooded after a two-hour rainfall, which had an intensity that had not been witnessed in the last 30 years due to climate change.
He said such one-off rainfall of unprecedented intensity should be expected at this period and should be prepared for.
MEANWHILE, Lagos State government has alerted all waterfront residents of highbrow Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island and coastal areas of Epe and Badagry to be wary of back flow due to high tide in the Lagos lagoon.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, in a fresh update, yesterday, said the latest advisory had become necessary due to the high tide of the Lagos Lagoon.
Bello stressed that the high tide of the lagoon has made it difficult for storm run-off from the various channels to discharge effectively into the lagoon, which may cause a stagnation into the streets and major roads until the level of the lagoon subsides to allow for a discharge of the channels.
He described the trending video of the water level under the Third Mainland Bridge, almost being filled to the brim as fake news, stating that the video only captures Oworonshoki end of Third Mainland Bridge, which is normal because the area is a deck on a pile.
He cautioned people, especially those on social media against sending panicky messages across to residents to create unnecessary anxiety amongst the people.
The commissioner advised all residents of the affected areas in Lagos Island and other coastal areas to monitor the incidental rains regularly, ensure situational awareness at all times, refrain from dumping refuse in the drains and clean their tertiary drains regularly.
“The state has embarked on and is continuing massive drainage clearance and the construction of new channels in addition to continuous deployment of the quick response Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) to free up manholes and black spots to ensure optimum capacity of drains to contain run-offs,” he said.
