The Lagos state government has advised residents and owners of all structures on drainage alignment to relocate to higher grounds.
Mr. Tunji Bello, the state commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, gave the warning in a statement on Tuesday, he added that many buildings have already been marked in Mende, Maryland, and Aboru in Alimosho for contraventions of drainage alignments and may soon be demolished.
He said, “The buildings in Mende were marked as the area is a low-lying flood plain and a drainage route for all the water coming from Agidingbi, Oregun, Opebi, Allen, GRA, Maryland up to Ogudu Foreshore.
“Now is the time for residents of all such areas in the state to hearken to the voice of reason by relocating to higher grounds to safeguard lives and properties because these drainages can contain water runoff when the rain stops just as it is happening already.”
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The commissioner stated that most of the recent flood disasters were caused by prolonged rainfall.
“The heavy torrential rainfall which started in the early hours of Monday and continued on Tuesday afternoon has caused flash floods in many areas and I reiterate my assurance that a minimum of four hours after the rainfall ceases, the water level in the lagoon will go down, allowing water from major collectors to flow into it and enabling all flood water that may have inundated our roads and streets to leave the streets,” he added.
