Lagos reassures resists of safety despite persistent rainfall

The Lagos State Government on Thursday reassured residents of the state that measures are already in place to address the challenges posed by incessant rainfall as witnessed in the state in the last three days as the various flood abatement gangs continue to clean and maintain the channels.
Speaking with the media in a chat after a syndicated unscheduled inspection of some of the major drainage systems, the State Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello; and Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Joe Igbokwe, said residents should be rest assured that irrespective of the volume of the rain, it would flow through the drains to discharge into the various channels.
Igbokwe advised Lagosians to remain calm and not panic as the rainfall currently being experienced in Lagos State is a natural outcome of climate change and has been predicted by the Nigerian Metrological services.
He stated that Lagos being a coastal state will usually experience flash-flood, which is expected to disappear after a few hours without any negative and attendant loss of lives and properties, maintaining that the state is working round the clock to ensure that all the drains already cleared are not clogged up again.
The Commissioner reminded the people of the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on zero tolerance for indiscriminate dumping of refuse, warning against acts that could aggravate flooding such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drains as well as erecting structures on drainages lines and alignments.
He stated that while relevant government agencies are on red alert for any unforeseen incident, residents must be vigilant and promptly report cases of indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels and unauthorised places as well as other incidents of drainage blockage to the relevant government agencies.
Bello also advised Lagosians to be safety conscious during this period, urging them to take measures such as avoid going out during the rains except when absolutely necessary and be conscious when driving and not overspeed.
He stressed that Lagosians residing along flood plains and low-lands should be at alert and be ready to move for safety whenever the need arises, stating that the Lagos State Government would continue to intensify efforts at containing flood in the State, while  painstakingly maintaining all primary and secondary channels from time to time.
The two Permanent Secretaries of the Office of Environmental Services, Ronke Odeneye and Office of Drainage Service and Water Resources, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, and Directors in the ministry also visited areas known to be flood prone.