The Labour Party (LP) in Lagos has called on Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to deploy the state resources to address flooding in the state.

Publicity Secretary of the party, Mrs Olubunmi Odesanya, made call in a statement in Lagos on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

The call followed the floods that hit most parts of the state on Wednesday, July 3, after a heavy downpour.

Odesanya said the state government had not done enough to address flooding, urging Sanwo-Olu to do more to tackle the perennial environmental problem.

“The heavy downpour of Wednesday in Lagos has finally exposed the derelict condition of the state and its neglect by the government.

“From Yaba, to Oshodi, Oshodi to Ketu, all of Ikorodu Road, Iyana Oworo, Iyana Iba, Ibeju- Lekki, Gbagada, Lekki and, in fact, all the 20 Local Governments in the state, everywhere was flooded.

“Many Lagos residents could not leave their homes due to the floods.

“Combining extreme poverty to high flooding is double tragedy. We strongly believe the state revenues are enough to tackle this menace,” the LP spokesperson said.

According to her, the government should, as a matter of urgency, come up with permanent solution to the problem.

Odesanya recalled that several properties were demolished in some areas by the state government on the excuse that the properties were built on drainage channels, causing flooding.

She noted that the government had said after the demolitions that the state would no longer witness any flooding, going forward.

Odesanya said that Wednesday’s floods meant nothing much had been done to address the problem.

Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, while giving an update about the floods, apologised to residents and commuters and residents.

Wahab, who noted that the floods were not due to the government’s lack of planning, said: “It was nature taking its full course.”

Several cars and houses were submerged with many commuters and workers stranded in many parts of the state because of the floods.

Also, there was gridlock on major roads, affecting economic activities in the state for several hours.

In a related development, some local government area chairmen in Lagos State have warned owners of shops and buildings not to obstruct the drains and canals in their areas with indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

The rainfall that lasted for many hours on Wednesday resulted in heavy flooding in residential areas in Lagos Island, Mainland, Oshodi, Ikeja and other locations.

The residents attributed the flooding to blockage of waterways due to indiscriminate dumping of waste and building on the drains.

Mr Abdul-Hamed Salawu, the Executive Chairman, Somolu Local Government, said on Thursday that the council would take serious action against residents flouting the directives.

“We have emphasised more on the importance of maintaining clear drainage systems to prevent flooding in Somolu.

“We urge the community to be more conscious of their environment during downpour, particularly on proper refuse disposal and avoiding the blockage of the drains.

“We call for calm and express our sympathy to the affected residents,” Salawu said.

The chairman reassured residents that his administration “is actively liaising with the Lagos State Government to develop effective and long-lasting solutions to the flooding problem.

“We are working closely with the government to find the best ways to prevent future occurrences of such devastating floods.”

Salawu said that proactive measures would be put in place to curb the flooding and called for community cooperation.

“We are aiming to foster a united effort in enhancing the resilience and safety of Somolu’s residents against future flooding threats and health crises,” the chairman said.

Mr Kehinde Oloyede, the Executive Chairman, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, also said that government would not spare anyone caught disposing refuse in the drains.

Oloyede said that proper sensitisations had gone to market traders as well as residents to desist from dumping refuse indiscriminately during downpour.

Oloyede appealed to market leaders in the local government to embark on advocacy to stop their members from habits that would clog the drains and gutters.

The chairman warned that severe punishments awaited any market man or woman caught in such act across the council area.

He also enjoined house owners to warn their tenants against dropping their dirt in the canals.

The chairman noted that the government would continue to prioritise the wellbeing of the people and would do everything legally possible to protect their welfare.

“It’s so unfortunate that some parts of our local government experienced flooding owing to the rainfall, this is really disturbing to us as government.

“Environmental report indicates that indiscriminate dumping of refuse is responsible for the incident.

“It’s on this note that I want to appeal to our market leaders to embark on campaign against dumping of refuse in our drains.

“Anybody caught will be dealt with in accordance with the law of the land and we shall not spare anyone,” he said.

Also, the Executive Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area, Mr Olasoju Adebayo, promised to draw relevant authority’s attention for a lasting solution to be sought.

Adebayo advised motorists to avoid flooded areas and other risky routes to ensure safety of life during rainfall.

The council boss charged parents to ensure that their wards remained indoors whenever it rained, given Nimet’s forecast of heavy rains from Wednesday to Friday.

“We advise motorists to consider diverting to safer alternative routes for safety reasons during the rainfall.

“On our part as a responsible government, efforts will be geared towards alleviating the situation of affected areas.

“Motorists are strongly advised to ply Kogberegbe/Lamina Lawal/Aderinto streets, Ogundele Way inwards and outwards Isolo or, better still consider rescheduling their trips for safety purposes,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has apologised to residents of the state displaced as a result of the intensive rainfall experienced on Wednesday.

The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, stated this during a syndicated interview programme across different television channels in Lagos on Thursday.

Wahab said that the state government had put in place resilient infrastructure which could withstand the effects of flash flooding.

He also sympathised with a resident of the state who reportedly lost a loved one as well as others who lost properties due to the rainfall.

He explained that Lagos state experienced about 10 hours of nonstop rainfall from the early hours of Wednesday, causing flash floods in places including Egbeda, Iyana Oworo, Trade fair Road, and Iyana Iba, amongst others.

He added that the flash floods receded in about two hours as a result of mitigation put in place.

“I want you to know that what happened yesterday was not as a result of not preparing but because nature only took its course,” Wahab said.

He said the sea level was very high while it rained and the effect was felt around areas such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki – all on the Peninsular Corridor where the storm water is designed to discharge into the lagoon.

Wahab advised residents in the Upland areas like Agege, Alimosho and Ikeja to be calm.

He stressed that the state government had built resilient infrastructure that will discharge storm water into the Creeks and Lagoons within a few hours after the rain subsides.

He added that some axis like Ogombo, Mobil Corridor of Victoria Island that hitherto experienced flash flood did not experience it on Wednesday as a result of improved drainage infrastructure and efforts of the government.

According to him, flash flood 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”.

He said the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) created to intervene in clearing black spot was on ground from the early hours of 4 :00 am.

He, however, noted that in spite the efforts of EFAG, the water level was high and it took a while for the storm water to discharge into the lagoon and ocean.

Wahab said the ministry has strengthened its drainage enforcement activities in ensuring due diligence concerning all drainage channels and restoring Right of Ways on all channels.

He added that the ministry would continue its intense work all year round clearing and cleaning major primary and secondary drainage channels.

“I would like to 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,” Wahab said.

He said that residents also need to be more responsive.

He cited the example of a couple caught by a whistle blower discharging their waste inside the drainage while it rained yesterday at Surulere area.

He said that the house had been sealed and the culprits have been arrested and will be prosecuted according to the law.

He appealed to residents to desist from the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainages, roads and other unauthorised places.

The commissioner urged residents of the state to support government efforts by ensuring the regular clearing of drainages in front of their houses for free flow of water.

He encouraged residents to 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,” Wahab said.

By Adeyemi Adeleye, Kazeem Akande and Fabian Ekeruche