LASG, Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority synergise to prevent flood

Abiodun Oba |

The Lagos State Government has established synergy and partnership with Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority to ensure the control and monitoring of the steady and systematic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream communities.

The State Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, made this known at a news conference on the 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Predictions and prevention of flooding in the State in Alausa, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Re-assuring Lagosians on the issue of floods, Bello said in a coastal area like Lagos, it was natural that, “sometimes when it rains, we are likely to have flash-floods on our roads as normal occurrences all over the world.

“As long as the drains are clean, we should be assured that, in a matter of time, the flash flood will disappear”.

According to him, it was only when flood remained on the roads for days that it could be said to be flood.

“It must be noted that, anytime the Lagoon level rises, it may “lock up” the discharge points drainage channels and until it recedes, there will be no discharge. Occurrences like these also cause backflows, resulting to flooding. But as soon as the Lagoon recedes, all the generated storm water will immediately discharge and our roads will be free.

Bello said since last year, the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang under Drainage Maintenance Department of the Ministry have been consistently de-silting and working on secondary collectors and conduits, to enable them discharge efficiently.

He urged Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) and Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) to ensure advertising and communication agencies comply with regulations on safety and stability of billboards and telecommunication masts in readiness for the strong winds expected during the onset and cessation of every rainfall.

The commissioner said, ”All emergency agencies, traffic management agencies and other emergency related outfits will be put on the alert to assist in reducing the havoc that may arise from the incidents of flooding in the State.”

Bello advised Lagosians who reside along flood plains, coastal and low-lying wetland areas near major rivers to always be on the alert and be ready to relocate, when the need arises.

He maintained that government shall, as usual, notify such residents at the appropriate time. He also urged motorists to observe prescribed speed limits during the rainy reason, to avoid loss of lives and property.

The Environment Commissioner appealed to Lagosians to desist from acts that can lead to flooding, indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places; and assured that the contact of Drainage Resident Engineers will be made available in all our 57 Local Governments Areas and Local Council Development Areas to attend to the needs of residents before, during and after the rainy season.