CITIZENS COMPASS — A total number of 151 buildings were flooded after an overnight rainfall in Lagos.
The rains started in the late hours of Tuesday and ended on Wednesday morning with some access roads, bridges and homes flooded with many residents stranded in some parts of the State.
Places mostly affected were Alimosho, Aboru, Ikorodu and Surulere among others.
According to the Coordinator, Lagos State Territorial District of the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye who conducted an On-the-spot assessment of the affected areas, a total number of 151 houses were affected so far.
He said no life was lost.
“In view of today’s excessive rainfall and Sunday’s similar event, Nigerians have been urged to notice the very strong signal of what may unfold upon the On-set of 2024 rainfall.
“It is important to imbibe the culture of disaster risk reduction strategies in all sphere of our societal endeavours.
“We must begin adhering to safety measures against flood disasters.
“Thanks be to God that no life was lost and no one injured.
“As at the moment, the continuous disruption of normal lives of the people in still ongoing.
“However, preliminary assessment in some communities affected by the rainfall have shown that at Oke Ishagun, about 23 houses have been evacuated, at Isale Aboru, 35 houses are affected, at Ikola Community, 29 houses affected.
“At Olubodun Majiyagbe – Ajayi, 15 houses were affected, at Makinde Street, 12 houses were impacted, Olokowo Street, 16 houses affected and Adeola Street, 21 houses affected.
“NEMA is working with appropriate State MDAs in amelioration of observations and findings from today incident and the State has promised to make sure no stone is unturned to make the State safer
“The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed hereby appeal to Nigerians to start clearing their drainages of dirt and desilt them.
“Community Development Associations should live to their responsibility in coordinating the activities of neighbourhoods toward safer environments,
“Local Government authorities must not spare the rods against corporate organisations blocking the drainages while people must be prosecuted for blockage of drainages, dumping of refuse in drainages as envisaged in environmental laws to safe the society.
“The Director-General + expressed his support on the Lagos State Government’s bold decision after the 2023 rainy season by pulling down drainage obstructing structures across various parts of the State.
“He urges other State Governments to emulate the Lagos State good example in taking bold step towards making our environment safer with the difficult actions that will ensure safety of lives and property of Nigerians in Lagos State.” He said.
Earlier, Farinloye sounded a warning to residents of Command, “The residents of Command Area are urge to take alternative routes by avoiding Command and the near areas as flood have overran the bridge.
NEMA, Fire Service and Police are working to get trapped people out of the area presently.”
