EDITOR’S PICK:
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Dr. Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, the People’s Democratic Party’s candidate for governor in Lagos State has expressed sympathy to the families affected by the weekend flood while also criticizing the difficult conditions that locals face whenever it rains.
Recall that the Lagos State Government had previously warned residents of the expected heavy rainfall and ensuing flood and the need to move to safer ground whenever it rains.
In response to the most recent flooding, Jandor got in touch with a few of the victims earlier this week. On Saturday, though, the tremendous rain lasted for approximately seven hours, washing some homeowners and their cars away.
According to him, “I have received with worries, messages of families being displaced as a result of today’s downpour. It is disheartening to see the good people of the state suffer such neglect and huge discomfort. This disaster is preventable and avoidable at least to the barest minimum.”
In his usual prompt approach to situation, Jandor set up actions to mitigate the effect of the flood across the 20 Local Government areas of the state.
“In the interim, I have set up a Disaster Recovery Team across the state from our network of members to offer immediate assistance to the victims” he said
He prayed that there would be no more loss of lives even as the rain still continued in some part of the state.
“We will continue to patch up until we install a government we can jointly call our own and birth a breath of fresh air in Lagos,” he said.
Lagos issues earlier flood alert
Earlier in March, 2022, Lagos State Government predicted a high intensity Annual Rainfall amount of 1,750mm with attendant socio-economic implications for residents.
However, the state government, urged residents not to panic at the presence of heavy rainfall as every arrangements had been put in place to ensure adequate protection of lives and properties with expected flash flooding across the state.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET, at the beginning of every year, usually forecast the expected rainfall and temperature patterns spanning the entire country with high intensity rainfall predicted in Lagos and others states.
Commissoner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, as well as Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe, stated this at a media briefing on the 2022 Seasonal Climate Predictions in Lagos, in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to Bello, Ikeja is expected to have a rainfall onset date of March 17 while cessation date is December 3 with a total amount of 1392mm as specifically highlighted by NiMet.
He added, “The predicted onset, cessation and rainfall amount of 2022 is similar to the prediction for 2021 and the implication is that we are anticipating to experience a rain pattern of high intensity and frequency similar to that of 2021.
“Lagos Island is expected to have a rainfall onset date as April 6, cessation date as November 30 and a total rainfall amount of 1627mm.
“However, the Seasonal Climate Prediction for Lagos State generally signifies that the onset dates range between March 17 in earliest and April 6, 2022 at the latest while the cessation dates range between November 30 and December 5, 2022, while the Maximum Annual Rainfall amount is predicted to be 1,750mm.”
The commissoner, said it was expected that the recent increasing frequency of extreme weather events would continue in 2022 with days of extremely high rainfall amounts which might result in flooding.
“We call for caution as strong winds are expected during the onset and cessation of every rainfall just as envisaged harmattan are predicted which may cause reduction in visibility and bring about flight disruption and loss of revenue due to delays and cancellations in the aviation sector, ” Bello added.
Flood control
The commissoner, while commenting on expected flooding, said, “we want to assure you that our State will continue to reap the gains of careful and rigorous planning and execution, as our flood control measures are being stepped up to contain any imminent heavy rainfalls.”
Towards ensuring a flood-free and hygienic environment in the state, Bello said the ministry has embarked on an all-year-round drainage maintenance for effective and efficient flood control, in addition to an efficient and sustainable solid waste management system.
“In the same vein, we are determined to maintain the long-established synergy and partnership with 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 Ogun River. This mutual relationship has been highly beneficial in the past and we intend to sustain it.
“Just last Tuesday, the management of Oyan Dam, OD, and Water Resources, WR, had a meeting with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority on ways to sustain our partnership in the sustainable management of flooding challenges and in the light of the study of hydrogeological mapping of Ogun River alignment presently being carried out by the agency.
“Therefore, the low-lying areas and neighbourhoods of Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo and Ajegunle communities in Lagos State are being closely monitored with respect to the likelihood of Ogun River flooding as well as all other river basins in the State. These places may also be highly vulnerable to heavy flooding this year. “
To forestall the incidences of collapse of telecommunication masts, occasioned by high velocity of the wind, expected during the onset and cessation of every rainfall, Bello said Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, will as usual be on the alert to ensure advertising and communication agencies comply with regulations on safety of billboards and telecommunication masts.
“All emergency agencies, responders and Traffic Management outfits are also on standby to assist in reducing the negative impact of thunderstorm associated with rainfall in the State,”. he added.
Bello therefore, appealed to residents, particularly the media and photo journalists, to help educate the public that “sometimes when it rains heavily, it is natural to have flashfloods which will percolate or drain off quickly, as is the case in different parts of the world.
“It is only when flood remains on the roads several hours after the cessation of the rains that one can report that flooding has occurred. i therefore wish to plead with the media to be more circumspect in the manner they report issue of flash flooding with banner headliners that could create panic.”
He noted that another contributory factor to flooding is Lagoon level rise. “Anytime there is high tidal movement, it may lock up the discharge points of drainage channels and until it recedes, there will be no discharge.
“Such occurrences also cause backflows, resulting to flooding. But as soon as the lagoon recedes, all the generated storm water will immediately discharge and our roads will be free.
“Our pro-active administration in the State, in response to the above phenomena, has strengthened the Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) to deliver reliable, timely and effective flood information at an appropriate response time,” Bello stated.
FURTHER READING
Meanwhile, the following are the contacts of JANDOR Disaster Recovery/Support Team:
Agege
Rasheed Osanyinpeju 08033041430
Ajeromi Ifelodun
Bodunde Ogunlana 08033357158
Ovie 0802 307 6540
Alimosho
Almaroof Olalekan 08055243705
Saminu Yahaya 08052323621
Amuwo Odofin
Yahaya Hassan 08034546909
Adeniyi Owolabi 08034678234
Apapa
Olanrewaju Dawood 08024323838
Badagry
Adeshina Dada 08121584815
Epe
Bakare Maroof 08020790062,
Warrith Olufowobi 08134059774, 07039661911
Eti-Osa
Rilwan Lukman 09067016655
Ibeju-Lekki
Tajudeen Omobolaji Babatunde 08057930334
Ifako-Ijaye
Seun Shodiya 08093386304,
Gbenga Olowlafe 08028455725
Ikeja
Odubote Micheal 08091390080, 08032365555
Ikorodu
Prince Alashe 08060039038
Olayiwola Atoloye 08055314622
Kosofe
Kayode Oladipupo 09017048337
Adebayo Olufunmilayo 0807923369
Lagos Island
Adeyemi Wasiu 08036955522
Hon. Lawal Akinsemoyin 08090303331
Lagos Mainland
Ganiyu Ibrahim 08023769818
Mushin
Olabode Tejumola 08072266503
Ojo
Moses Adedeji 08035295974
Oshodi-Isolo
Mr. Lamidi
08035026002
Somolu
Adebanjo Temitope
08033661914
Moses Adewunmi 07065316265
Surulere
Saheed Oyebajo 08099706797
Bamidele Aderonmu
0802 331 2448
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