Heavy downpours on Tuesday and Wednesday left a number of elements of Lagos submerged, prompting the state Commissioner for Atmosphere and Water Sources, Tokunbo Wahab, to attraction for calm.
In an announcement on Wednesday, Mr Wahab sympathised with residents affected by the flash floods, noting the discomfort and disruption precipitated.
“As a coastal metropolis, Lagos is of course weak to flooding, particularly during times of heavy rainfall mixed with tidal lock,” he mentioned. “Regardless of this, the state authorities has continued to spend money on drainage infrastructure, common desilting, and enforcement of environmental legal guidelines to minimise flooding incidents and defend lives and property.”
The commissioner mentioned some affected areas have been battling technical challenges, whereas others have been affected by human actions.
At Kusenla, he defined, the downstream is about 1.2 metres greater than the invert of the present drainage, as confirmed by a authorities survey.
He added {that a} venture, which features a pumping station, has been awarded to deal with the issue.
Across the House on the Rock church, nonetheless, he attributed the flooding to unlawful building on floodplains and the dumping of refuse into drains.
“These sorts of actions worsen flooding and should cease,” he warned.
Mr Wahab urged residents to cooperate with the federal government by protecting the atmosphere clear, refraining from blocking drains, and avoiding building on floodplains.
He mentioned movies shared on-line confirmed a number of infractions, including that unlawful constructions and reclamations with out correct environmental clearance could be eliminated.
He additionally clarified that the flooding recorded in elements of Lagos on Wednesday was a flash flood that had since receded.
“The Ministry stays dedicated to strengthening our flood administration methods, however this effort requires the help and accountable actions of all Lagosians,” he mentioned.
Regardless of an earlier report in April of water submerging some streets in Itafaji, PREMIUM TIMES can affirm that flooding persists in elements of the Lagos Island Native Authorities Space, the place foul-smelling water from gutters has continued to overflow onto the streets, elevating well being and security issues.
Stagnant water has taken over sections of Jankarra Market and at the least two streets in Itafaji, submerging a bakery, the Mountain of Hearth Ministry, and a number of other retailers on the street linking Itafaji to Jankarra Market.
Additionally, floodwaters stay round St John Major Faculty, Adeniji Market, and different elements of Itafaji.
Residents mentioned the issue stems from the absence of correct drainage methods. They famous that though the final rainfall occurred on (At the moment) Wednesday, flooding had already continued earlier than then.
They expressed frustration that, regardless of repeated complaints and earlier media experiences, no concrete motion has been taken by authorities to deal with the scenario.
The residents warned that stagnant water, which refuses to recede as rainfall turns into extra frequent through the peak of the moist season, continues to pose critical well being and security dangers.
