What We Are Doing To Keep Our State Free Of Flood

Lagos State has been flood-free for some months.
The state government says it is hoping to keep it that way.
It said it working with relevant stakeholders to ensure a flood-free state.

Eko Hot Blog report that the Lagos State Government on Thursday reiterated its commitment to providing essential weather advisories to stakeholders, planners, decision-makers and operators in socio-economic sectors across the state to ensure a flood-free state.

Speaking during a Workshop on the Seasonal Climate Predictions and Socio-Economic Implications for the State, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Alausa, the Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Olalekan Shodeinde said the provision of the advisories to various rainfall-sensitive sectors such as Agriculture, Transportation, Water Resources, Health, Environment and Construction amongst others is highly essential.

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Shodeinde, who spoke through the Director of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Engr. Mahmood Adegbite, said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Ministry had released the annual Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) earlier in the year to sensitise the public on the socio-economic implication of the rainy season.

He added that the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with (NiMet), has provided relevant stakeholders with detailed information that would enable Organisations to prepare sufficiently for the impact of the rainy season, saying this is in line with the request of participants present at the Review of Y2022 SCP hosted by the Ministry.

Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services, Lagos State, Engr. Olalekan Shodeinde, and other officials at a Workshop on the Seasonal Climate Predictions and Socio-Economic Implications for the State.

The Permanent Secretary said the Ministry has embarked on an all-year-round drainage maintenance programme for effective and efficient flood control, as well as upgrading its early warning system with the installation of automatic weather stations and river gauge stations.

He added that the Ministry reignited its sensitisation campaign using established media platforms which include Tv, Radio, Print Media and Social Media platforms as well as door to door campaign through stakeholders’ engagement strategy and visitation to affected communities speaking with community leaders and residents alike.

He emphasised that the Government remains determined to maintain the long-existing synergy with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority (OORBDA), which has ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches of the Ogun River.

The Permanent Secretary urged the residents to continually support the efforts of the Government through the regular clearing of drains in their frontage to ensure free-flow of stormwater as well as desist from dumping refuse into drainage channels.

Shodeinde advised the general public to stop the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places, clogging of drains with silt or construction materials, erecting structures within and around drainage Rights of Ways and Setbacks.

He enjoined residents to report cases of drainage blockages to Resident Engineers present in all Local Government Areas / Local Government Development Areas and Zero Tolerance offices across the State.

In his presentation, the Director-General of NIMET, represented Mr. Oyegade Adeleke, noted that high intensity of rainfall is expected from May to June with the probability of having above 50mm in one day at 80% in Badagry, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ibeju/Lekki and Ikeja.

He added that in September, the probability of having 100mm in one-day rainfall is 95% statewide, stressing that the length of the rainy season is anticipated to vary between 242 to 245 days.

He said the onset of the rainy season is anticipated to start in the southern parts of the state from the 31st of March ending around the 30th of November to the 2nd of December in areas around Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa and Ibeju/Lekki.

In his remarks, the MD/CEO, Ogun Oshun River Basin Authority, Otunba Olufemi Odumosu highlighted the multipurpose use of Dams to include Bulk Water Supply, Irrigation infrastructure for Agriculture, Aquaculture Cage Fish Farming, Flood Control, Hydropower generation potentials, Transportation, Researches and Tourism amongst others.

He said under the Federal Government Capital Appropriation for 2023, the Agency has intervention Projects such as intervention on Flood and Erosion controls for the construction of hydraulic structures in areas experiencing the flood problem within Lagos and Ogun States.

He mentioned that Stormwater Management can be achieved by collaboration between the State and Local Government, provision of infrastructures that can absorb rainwater, reduce stormwater runoff and help to mitigate flooding.