Lagos State Government Apologizes for Flood Disruptions Amidst Heavy Rainfall

 The Lagos State Government extended apologies to residents for the disruptions caused by heavy rainfall on Wednesday. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, addressed the issue during multiple television interviews, highlighting the state's efforts to build resilient infrastructure capable of handling flash floods.

Wahab expressed sympathy for those who lost loved ones and property due to the downpour. He explained that Lagos experienced about 10 hours of continuous rain, leading to flash floods in areas such as Egbeda, Iyana Oworo, Trade Fair Road, and Iyana Iba. However, he noted that these flash floods receded within two hours due to the mitigation measures in place.

“I want you to know that what happened yesterday was not due to a lack of preparation but because nature took its course,” he said.

He mentioned that the high sea level during the rainfall impacted areas like Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, where stormwater is designed to discharge into the lagoon.

Wahab reassured residents in upland areas like Agege, Alimosho, and Ikeja that the government had constructed resilient infrastructure to channel stormwater into creeks and lagoons shortly after the rain subsides. He also pointed out that areas such as Ogombo and the Mobil corridor of Victoria Island, which previously experienced flash floods, did not face such issues this time due to improved drainage infrastructure.

He emphasized that flash floods occur globally and are an unavoidable consequence of prolonged rainfall. He stated, "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."

The Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) was on the ground from 4 am, working to clear blocked drainage spots, although the high water level delayed the discharge of stormwater into the lagoon and ocean.

Wahab highlighted the ministry's ongoing efforts to enforce proper drainage maintenance and clear major primary and secondary drainage channels throughout the year. He reiterated that as a coastal state, Lagos would always experience flash floods during heavy rain, and emphasized the need for measures to mitigate the effects of global warming.

He urged residents to be more responsible, citing an incident where a couple was caught dumping waste into a drainage system during the rain. The house was sealed, and the culprits were arrested for prosecution. Wahab appealed to residents to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse and to support government efforts by regularly clearing drainages in front of their homes.

Wahab also encouraged residents to act as whistleblowers, reporting violations to the government to help maintain the infrastructure. "It is high time residents take ownership of all infrastructure and provide information to the government when necessary," he concluded.