LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin By Oyebola Owolabi
The Lagos State government has apologised to residents for the disruption in work and businesses witnessed yesterday following the 10-hour rainfall.
Wahab, who sympathised with a resident who reportedly lost a loved one, and others who lost properties, also said the couple caught at Surulere discharging their waste inside the drainage while it rained yesterday has been arrested and the house sealed. The offender will also be prosecuted according to the law.
While affirming that global climate warming is real, Wahab said Lagos being a coastal land is prone to flash flooding, especially during intense rainfall. He however stressed that the government has put in place resilient infrastructure which can withstand the effects of flash flooding, ‘which was evident in the fact that in just about two hours after the rain stopped, the flood had receded’.
He said: “What happened yesterday was not due to lack of preparation, nature only took its course, and we are sorry. As a matter of fact, no level of infrastructure can withstand the level of rain we experienced yesterday. But we will continue to do our best to keep the state flood-free.
“Flash flooding happens globally, what we can do as a government is to embrace and live with nature. Anywhere in the world that experiences long hours of rainfall like we did yesterday is bound to experience flooding otherwise called ponding elsewhere.
“Men of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) were on ground as early as 4am to intervene but the water level was high and it took a while for the storm water to discharge into the lagoon and ocean.
“We have also strengthened our drainage enforcement activities in ensuring due diligence concerning all drainage channels and restoring Right of Way on all channels, while we will continue intense all year-round clearing and cleaning of major primary and secondary drainage channels.
“Let me reiterate that Lagos is a coastal state and there will always be flash floods for few hours when it rains. We should know that the world has changed and everyone must ensure various measures to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming and other environmental issues confronting human existence.”
The commissioner also admonished residents to complement government’s effort by doing the right thing always.
“Residents must be more responsive by doing the right thing. They must desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainages, roads and other unauthorised places, and support government efforts by ensuring the regular clearing of drainages in front of their houses for free-flow of water.
“Residents should also become whistle blowers for government as the government cannot be everywhere. It is high time residents take ownership of all infrastructure and endeavour to give information to the government when the need arises.”
