Eko Hot Blog reports that the state has directed all relevant enforcement arms of the state to step up their supervisory roles to contain any eventuality.
The directive, which has elicited renewed fears among residents of the state, was convened by the state Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, over the weekend, said the stakeholders came up with a resolution that while Lagos is not totally immune from flooding, the state will continue to effectively manage its situation without posing risk to lives and property of residents.
According to Bello, “now is the time for all enforcement arms of the state to step up their supervisory roles.”
He stated that the enforcement impact must be felt by recalcitrant people and institutions who have defied the government and built structures on drainage alignments, flood plains, and low-lying areas now more than ever before.
Bello added that despite the fact that Lagos is a coastal city with almost one-third of its total landmass underwater, what it experiences after each bout of heavy rainfalls is flash flooding which will recede a few hours after the cessation of such rainfalls.
The commissioner, who expressed sympathy with victims who have suffered any form of losses due to the prevalence of flooding, across the states, said Lagos is constantly monitoring the Ogun River which flows directly into the Lagos Lagoon
He said the Seasonal Rainfall Pattern for 2022 released earlier in the year by the Nigerian Metrological Services NIMET had predicted that the peak of the resurgent rainfall for the year will be in October.
Bello also said Lagos may be susceptible to the dangers of flooding with the periodic release of rainwater from Oyan Dam by the Ogun Oshun River Basin Development Authority. He noted that, while the release is to maintain the sanctity of the dam, it may increase the level of water in the lagoon.
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