Rainy season: Lagos warns against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

The Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, on Wednesday, warned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse, while alerting them to the coming rainy season.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, gave the warming while speaking with journalists during a news conference at in Lagos.

Wahab appealed to them to be whistle blowers and report any case of drainage blockages, dumping of waste in canals to the appropriate authorities.

“It is a great pleasure to once again address the media on the Year 2025 Seasonal Climate Predictions.

“This is in continuation of the tradition to annually alert the public of the patterns of the Year 2025 predicted rainfall and its socio-economic implications for the people of Lagos State.

“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), on February 4, as part of its ministerial mandate, released this year’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).

“This is a forecast of the expected patterns of rainfall temperature and other weather parameters in the entire country,” he said.

He also appealed to motorists to take precautionary measures and observe the prescribed speed limit on the roads.

“However, during the rainy season this year, motorists should, as a matter of precautionary measure, observe prescribed speed limits on the roads to losing control or skidding off the highways.

“To our people, we sincerely appeal that they refrain from acts that can lead to flash flooding.

“They should stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places, clogging drains with silt or construction materials, erecting structures within and around drainage right of ways and setbacks.

“All residents are enjoined to become whistle blowers by reporting cases of drainage blockages, dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorised places to our Resident Engineers across all the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas and zero tolerance offices statewide,” he said

Wahab said the annual briefing was aimed at educating the public on important climate information.

“This briefing is conducted annually by the state in keeping with its proactive approach of informing and educating the public about important climate information.

“This is also to get them ready for the expected impact of the rainy season and other relevant weather events.

“The forecast for this year is based on the neutral phase of the El-Nino Southern Oscillation, which is expected to persist in the first six to eight months of the year.

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“This also implies early onset of the rainy season, longer than normal length and delayed end of the rainy season in Lagos,” he said.

He said that as a result of this, above normal rainfall amounts were anticipated in the first peak of the rainy season, adding that normal rainfall amounts were expected in the second peak of the rainy season.

“Additionally, the rainfall from neighbouring Ogun, Oyo and Osun states dams release and river water levels into the state will be monitored closely.

“The rainy season is expected to start as early as the last week of March, while the end of season is expected in the first week of December.

“Also, the average annual rainfall amount predicted is 1936mm, which is greater than the long-term (1991-2020) average,” he said.

He said that Ikeja was expected to have an onset date of April 2, cessation date of December 2 and an annual amount of 1952 mm.

He added that Badagry was expected to have a rainfall onset date of March 30, the end of the season date of December 4 and a rainfall annual amount of 1978mm.

“Ikorodu is expected to have a rainfall onset date of April 2, end of season date of Dec. 3 with an annual amount of 1903mm.

“Lagos Island, on its part, is expected to have a rainfall onset date, April 1, cessation date December 3 and annual amount of 1936 mm.

“Epe is expected to have a rainfall onset date of March 31, cessation date of December 4, an annual amount of 1952 mm.

“Lagos State is expected to experience above normal rainfall, and the same scenario is also expected to be experienced in the neighbouring Ogun state,” he said.

He added that the high amounts of rainfall would lead to flash flooding events in some parts of the state.

“Strong winds are expected during the onset and the end of each rainy season, lives and properties may be at risk, commercial activities disruption, flight delays and resulting revenue loss could also arise,” he said.

Wahab noted that the state had put in place its network of weather stations as well as river gauge stations to monitor the weather and river levels.

He added that the state had increased preparedness for weather and flood related issues.

“The Ministry is collaborating with NiMet in the annual Seasonal Climate Prediction.

“This has been valuable as a vital weather and early warning tool for farmers, planners, decision makers, and operators of the various sectors and businesses that are likely to be impacted by the annual rainfall.

“At this juncture, let me assure you that our state will continue to reap the benefits of careful and rigorous planning, as our flood control measures are being stepped up to contain any imminent rainfall.

“To ensure a flood-free and hygienic environment in the state, the ministry has embarked on an all-year-round drainage maintenance programme for effective and efficient flood control,” he said.

He added that the state, to effectively contain flooding, had continued the long established synergy and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority.

“This has ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches of the Ogun River.

“This mutual relationship has been highly beneficial in the past, and we intend to sustain it.

“Therefore, the low-lying areas of Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo and Ajegunle communities in Lagos State are being closely monitored with respect to the likelihood of Ogun River over flowing its banks as well as all other river basins in the state.

“I wish to appeal once again to our people to support our efforts by complementing the state government through regular clearing of tertiary drains in their frontage.

“This is to ensure free flow of storm water as well as to prevent dumping of refuse into drainage channels,” he said.