The Commissioner for the Environment Lagos state, Mr.Tokunbo Wahab on Friday allayed the fears of residents along the Ogun-Osun river bank following reports of flooding experienced in these affected areas, assuring of the State's preparedness to curtail any eventuality that may arise.
Wahab spoke with newsmen during a press briefing on the recent flooding situation along the basin of the Ogun River and lagoon coastline Friday at the Alausa and said it has become important that homeowners within these areas relocate immediately to higher grounds.
The Commissioner who sympathized with affected residents and doused their tension noted the concerns and anxieties that many people have expressed with a guarantee that the government is fully capable of managing the flooding situation and its consequences.
He stated that from the statistics issued by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, the total amount of rainfall recorded from January to October 15 2023 indicates that most of the expected rainfall in the area has fallen. He explained that the volume of water released from January to October 15, 2023, is more than the average synthesized Annual Flow Volume.
He said what was being experienced in Lagos presently is a result of the residual water in the catchment of Ogun River which will recede with time; the rise in sea level has also reduced the inflow into the lagoon.
He added that the State Government has been responsive to the situation with the step-up of its multifaceted approach to mitigate the effects of the flooding.
He said the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) under the Drainage Maintenance Department of the Ministry is working consistently on black spots & intervention of some critical tertiary drains to enable them to discharge efficiently & act as retention basins.
He stated that the State Government remained committed to all-year-round drainage maintenance, reclaiming drainage Right of Way, & ensuring that the waterways are clean.
He appealed to residents to report cases of drainage blockages & dumping of waste into canals & other unauthorized places @lagosmoe
Comments
Post a Comment