Flooding: Lagos advises Mile 12 residents, others to relocate

Posted by admin Headlines, Lagos, State News Sunday, May 29th, 2011

The Lagos State Government has warned residents of areas prone to flooding to look for alternative accommodation on higher grounds from June to January next year.

The warning, according to it, is necessary because of the anticipated unusually heavy rainfall that the state is likely to witness this year.

Some of the flood prone areas where the residents have been advised to move away from are Ikosi-Ketu, Mile 12, Agiliti,Thomas Laniyan Estate and Owode Onirin.

Others are Agboyi, Owode Elede, Maidan and Isheri North Scheme.

The government’s warning is based on the prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency that put this year’s rainfall at 300-1,100mm in the North and 1,200-2,700mm in the southern parts of the country.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Muyideen Akinsanya, who briefed journalists at the state secretariat, Alausa on Saturday, said the advice was to prevent loss of lives and damage to property.

Last year, many of the areas suffered severe flooding as a result of heavy rainfall and the release of excess water from the Oyan Dam by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority.

Due to the extensive damage caused by the flooding, President Goodluck Jonathan visited some of the affected communities in Lagos and Ogun states, and promised the release of money to assist the victims.

Akinsanya said if not for some of the proactive measures already taken by the state government, the effects of flooding in Lagos would have been more severe.

Some of the measures, according to him, are regular clearing of existing drain channels, construction of secondary waste water collectors, regular evacuation of household waste and public enlightenment campaigns.

In view of the anticipated heavy rainfall and the attendant flooding, Akinsanya advised residents to properly dispose their waste instead of dumping them in drainage channels.

He said, “Our drainages, lagoon, rivers, streams and wetlands must be kept clean of all forms of waste – solid, sewage, liquid, domestic or industrial.

“Residents should desist from building structures along the drain alignments or compromising drainage structures.”

He also advised users of the waterways to be careful of excessive rainfall that could lead to high water level, greater turbulence and changes in shoreline depth.

He added, “Road users are advised to avoid high speed and maintain their vehicles. Residents and property owners along the banks and flood plains are advised to be very vigilant and raise the alarm in case of high rise in water level.

“They should immediately vacate the water path in case of heavy flooding, putting safety of lives before anything else.”

-Punchwp_posts