No serious flood in Lagos in 2022, says govt

The Lagos State Government has said the state did not experience any serious flood in 2022.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, attributed the development to government strategies and the hard work of the operatives of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG), urging them to be more committed in the discharge of their duties.

The commissioner spoke at the gang’s End of Year 2022/Award of Excellence in Alausa, promising that the state government would continue to provide the necessary logistics and moral support EFAG needed for better service delivery.

He said, “Lagos did not experience serious flooding this year compared to other states in the country which was as a result of the various measures put in place by the government and the continuous cleaning of the drains by EFAG.

“I would like to reiterate that you are part of the government’s structure and as you continue to work harder, more packages would always be put in place.

“Always bear in mind that hard work brings better welfare packages. I want you to know that to whom much is given much is expected.”

Bello said EFAG team, which was created in 2004, had been doing a good job in cleaning up secondary drains and manholes in the 52 councils of the state all year round.

The commissioner said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved 100 per cent 13th month salary for the EFAG team, adding that a free health insurance policy had been put in place considering  the risk they are exposed to in the course of their duties.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe said, “I want to assure all members of the EFAG team that government will continue to take good care of you while you take care of the job for sustainability.”

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources,  Lekan Shodeinde, while speaking at the event which also had his counterpart in the Environmental Services, Gaji Tajudeen, in attendance, said the  EFAG team cleaned over 624 kilometres of drainages in 2022.

Commendation awards and cash gifts were thereafter distributed to outstanding officers of EFAG team and some of their coordinators.