Lagos warns flood-prone communities to relocate

To avert disaster, the Lagos State Government has warned owners of all structures on drainage alignments and setbacks to relocate to higher grounds.

The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, gave this warning in a statement on Tuesday, adding that many of such buildings have already been marked in Mende, Maryland and Aboru in Alimosho for contravention of drainage alignments and may soon be demolished.

He said, “The buildings in Mende were marked as the area is a low-lying flood plain and a drainage route for all the water coming from Agidingbi, Oregun, Opebi, Allen, GRA, Maryland up to Ogudu Foreshore.

“Now is the time for residents of all such areas in the state to hearken to the voice of reason by relocating to higher grounds to safeguard lives and properties because these drainages can contain water runoff when the rain stops just as it is happening already.”

The Commissioner also said the recent flash floods were caused by prolonged rainfall.

“The heavy torrential rainfall which started in the early hours of Monday and continued on Tuesday afternoon has caused flash floods in many areas and I reiterate my assurance that a minimum of four hours after the rainfall ceases, the water level in the lagoon will go down, allowing water from major collectors to flow into it and enabling all flood water that may have inundated our roads and streets to leave the streets,” Bello added.