The Lagos State government on Tuesday night reassured residents that there was no need to panic over the flash flooding experienced in some parts of the state on Monday, insisting that resilient infrastructure were in place to contain any eventuality.
The reassurance was given by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab when he featured on the X- Space “Ask Lagos”.
The commissioner attributed the flash flooding to the intensity of the rainfall which was more than 15 hours in some areas and the effect of climate change.
While speaking directly about the challenged areas in Ijede, he said a major contract to address the issue was ongoing but that the intensity of the rainfall created undue pressure which had however been addressed by opening up some parts to drain the water.
His words: “Lagosians, there is no need to panic, climate issues are real life issues. I will however like to assure all that the government would continue to put in place resilient infrastructure that we need as a state.”
Wahab also charged residents to be courageous and blow the whistle when they saw any infraction that is detrimental to the environment.
He stressed that it was high time residents took responsibility by relating to the environment positively at all times .
“Lagosians must always take responsibility by relating positively with the environment and by not dumping wastes in the drainage, median, road setbacks, open spaces amongst others.
“Endeavour to utilize the PSP operators in your area and most especially, blow the whistle when you see any infraction that could affect environment. Say something, if you see something,” he stressed.
He apologised to residents negatively impacted by the 15-16 hours downpour experienced in the state in the last few days particularly mentioning areas around the Agungi corridor of Lekki and some areas in Ikorodu.
He stated that in the past few weeks globally, many countries had also experienced similar situations saying that the cities of Texas had lost over 103 people to flooding, North Carolina had lost people while New York and New Jersey corridor were submerged.
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He added that the government was not making excuses, but those were the realities, saying China was going through its own as well as some parts of Europe.
He stressed that the present administration was deliberately ramping up its efforts by putting in place resilient infrastructure statewide to address issues of flash flooding.
According to him, the government would continue to engage in Advocacy because the people needed to understand that in all the climate-related matters, the human element must also be reduced to the barest minimum.
“And what are those human elements? Taking your waste and dumping them in the drainage is a totally needless human element and causes flooding; taking your waste and dumping it on the roads knowing that the only place it will go to after a downpour is the drainage”.
“When it rains, these are recipes for flooding; taking your waste from your home and choosing to drop them at any illegal places is also a recipe for flooding. So, these are the advocacies the government has continued to intensify”.
Wahab also appealed to builders and developers in the state to ensure that due diligence was carried out before erecting any building, stressing that most building owners did not seek drainage clearance from the ministry before construction work begins.
He stated that most of the structures contribute largely to flooding being experienced in the Lekki axis, adding that government was doing a lot to sanitise the environment and citizens must also take responsibility for the environment.
