How to protect motoring assets from flooding, by experts

Experts have cautioned motorists to avoid driving in flooded areas as this could damage their vehicles and at a huge cost of repair.
They urged motorists to acquire comprehensive insurance packages, to mitigate the cost of repairs in case of eventualities.

Indeed, flooding has been ravaging parts of the country, with states like Kogi, on the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway, Bayelsa, Delta, Anambra, Benue states and others.

The Lagos state government on Monday issued a fresh update to all waterfront residents of highbrow Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island and coastal areas of Epe and Badagry to be wary of backflow due to the high tide on Lagos lagoon.

State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, reiterated the earlier flood advisory issued by the State to the effect that all those on the banks of Ogun River especially residents of Ketu, Alapere, Agric, Owode Onirin, Ajegunle, Alagbole, Kara, Isheri Olowora, Araromi, Otun Orisha community, Agiliti, Maidan, Mile 12, Odo Ogun, Owode Elede, Agboyi1, Agboyi II and Agboyi III remain vigilant at this period.

Marketing Manager, Kia Nigeria, Olawale Jimoh, said the rainy season could be challenging for car owners but motorists should avoid driving through flooded areas.

Jimoh said motorists should ensure to clean their windows and windshield to ensure good visibility when driving in the rain.

He said motorists should ensure they have good brakes as rainwater could reduce the friction between tyres and the road. This can make it difficult to stop at the right time.

Jimoh said driving through flood water can damage the engine among other parts of the vehicle. Hence, he advised motorists not to drive too fast in the waters, adding that driving through a flooded road at high speed could be damaging.

Former Dean, of the School of Transport and Logistics, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Samuel Odewumi, said motorists should avoid the flood, stating that water and automotive parts are not ‘best of friends.’ This, is more so, in Lagos where there could be an ingress of salty Atlantic Ocean waters.

Odewumi said: “If where you park your car is prone to flooding, look for higher ground. Otherwise, create a ramp in your compound or a safe place to park your car. There are going to be more and more of such weather patterns as a result of climatic change and rising sea levels.”

He said people should take personal care and responsibility for where to build or rent their homes. “This problem can only be ameliorated but cannot be solved or eradicated by the government. Even in the developed world, Mother Nature is still the Lord,” he said.

Odewumi said governments owe the citizens the duty of pre-event warning, enlightenment and education, enforcement of land use rules, clearing of the canals, drains and dredging of the rivers and construction of embankments.

However, the Chief Executive Officer, of West Atlantic Cold-Chain and Commodities Limited, Henrii Nwanguma, said motorists should invest in insurance as this may help curtail any unforeseen circumstances caused by a flood.

Nwanguma said, more importantly, motorists are to use common sense and heed meteorological services’ warnings and keep to high grounds to avoid or minimise flood damage.

A road safety expert, Patrick Adenusi, said as much as possible motorists should avoid driving their vehicles on heavily flooded roads if the water level is very high.

For those whose motoring assets have been submerged in flood, he said: “That is why we need to have insurance. There is nothing the government would do about that. It is the insurance company that would have business assisting in this regard and that is what insurance is meant for during the rainy days.”