Press Releases

The Lagos State Government on Thursday reiterated its commitment to providing essential weather advisories to stakeholders, planners, decision-makers, and operators in socio-economic sectors across the state to ensure a flood-free state.

Speaking during a Downscaling workshop on the Seasonal Climate Predictions and Socio-Economic implications for the state, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Alausa, the Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Olalekan Shodeinde said the
provision of the advisories to various rainfall-sensitive sectors such as Agriculture, Transportation, Water Resources, Health, Environment, and Construction amongst others is highly essential.

Shodeinde who Spoke through the Director, of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Engr. Mahmood Adegbite said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Ministry had released the annual Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) earlier in the year to sensitize the public on the socio-economic implication of the rainy season.

PIX 7564/7570: L-R: Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Ogun/Osun river basin , Otunba Olufemi Odumosu, Representative of Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage and Water Resources and Director, Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Engr. Mahmood Adegbite, Director Water Resources, Office of Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Lanke Taiwo and Representative of General Manager, Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET), Mr. Oyegade Adeleke during a one day programme for downscaling of the year 2023 seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) in Lagos State. Held on the 18th of May 2023, at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo drive, Ikeja.

He added that the Lagos State Government in collaboration with (NiMet) this year provided relevant stakeholders with detailed information that would enable Organizations to prepare sufficiently for the impact of the rainy season saying this is in line with the request of participants present at the Review of Y2022 SCP hosted by the Ministry.

“At this juncture, we want to assure you that our State will continue to reap the benefits of careful and rigorous planning, as our flood control measures are being stepped up to contain any imminent rainfall,” he said.

He said the Ministry as usual has embarked on an all-year-round drainage maintenance program for effective and efficient flood control, as well as upgrading its early warning system with the installation of automatic weather stations and river gauge stations.

He added that the Ministry reignited its sensitization campaign using established media platforms which include Tv, radio, print and social media as well as door to door campaign through stakeholder engagement strategy and visitation to affected communities speaking with community leaders and residents alike.

He emphasized that the Government remains determined to maintain the long-existing synergy with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority (OORBDA), which has ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches of the Ogun River.

The Permanent Secretary urged the residents to continually support the efforts of the Government through the regular clearing of drains in their frontage to ensure free-flow of stormwater as well as desist from dumping of refuse into drainage channels.

Shodeinde advised the general public to stop the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorized places, clogging of drains with silt or construction materials, and erecting structures within and around drainage Right of Ways and setbacks.

He enjoined residents to report cases of drainage blockages, to Resident Engineers present in all Local Government Areas / Local Government Development Areas and zero tolerance offices across the state.

PIX 7564/7570: L-R: Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Ogun/Osun river basin , Otunba Olufemi Odumosu, Representative of Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage and Water Resources and Director, Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Engr. Mahmood Adegbite, Director Water Resources, Office of Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Lanke Taiwo and Representative of General Manager, Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET), Mr. Oyegade Adeleke during a one day programme for downscaling of the year 2023 seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) in Lagos State. Held on the 18th of May 2023, at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo drive, Ikeja.

In his presentation, the Director General NIMET represented Mr Oyegade Adeleke noted that high intensity of rainfall is expected from May to June with the probability of having above 50mm in one day at 80% in Badagry, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ibeju/Lekki and Ikeja.

He added that in September, the probability of having 100mm in one-day rainfall is 95% Statewide, stressing that the length of the rainy season is anticipated to vary between 242 to 245 days.

He said the onset of the rainy season is anticipated to start in the southern part.

The Kick Against Indiscipline KAI has refuted the contents of a viral video on Facebook where a female street trader at OYINGBO market accused the officers of sexual harassment while dislodging street traders, saying the clearance operation was duly authorized to dislodge traders who have completely taken over the walkway opposite the market after repeated warnings.

In a statement by the KAI Corps Marshal, Mrs Gbemi Akinpelu (CP rtd), the agency said the female trader was only trying to whip up sentiments to deter the agency from carrying its duties.

She added that investigation revealed that the said woman has constituted a nuisance on the main road with open display of her wares and also extended it to the walkway.

Mrs AKINPELU revealed that in-house investigation revealed that it is the stock in trade of the particular woman to cry wolf when there was none, as similar allegations of KAI operatives pestering her for love has led to redeploying of 3
Different sectional heads until investigations revealed her motive.

We wish to state in clear terms that the reclacitrant street trader and several others flouted the Lagos Environmental Management Protection Law by erecting a wooden kiosk with intent to display raw foodstuffs for sale on the walkway at Oyingbo, thereby impeding vehicular and human movement in the area.

As the premier environmental enforcement Agency set up by the Lagos State Government under the Ministry of Environment to rid the State of environmental nuisances and responding to complaints from motorists and pedestrians, we swung into action to enforce the State’s law by dislodging the street traders.

It is imperative to note that the incident/operation which took place on Monday 17th, April, 2023 was a fall out of the stakeholders meeting held on Saturday 15th April ,2023 which had in attendance stakeholders which included the Vice chairman of Lagos Mainland local Government, Hon Jibril Emilagba, Iyaloja of Oyingbo market and other stakeholders in which a resolution was reached for all make-shift shops selling on the median,drainages and set backs be evacuated on Monday 17th April, 2023.

The said woman who remains unidentified harassed our corps officers on lawful duty as she filmed to attract sympathy and incite mob action. Our officers who are trained in line with global best practices reported back to the headquarters for further instructions.

The authorities of Lagos Mainland Local Government and the Iyaloja of OYINGBO are on the same page with KAI on this issue and has promised not to allow any street traders return to the cleared points both in front of the OYINGBO market and along the road to enable free flow of traffic

Ajayi Lukman
Head, Public Affairs
LAGESC

Briefs media on Seasonal Rainfall Pattern
Says the Rainy season Start in 1st April and ceases by the 1st week of December.

The Lagos State Government on Thursday alerted residents that this year, the state is expected to experience an above-normal annual rainfall amount predicted at 1936.2mm which will start in the first week of April and cease in December.

According to the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello who spoke at the 2023 Press Briefing on Seasonal Climate Predictions and it’s Socio-Economic implications for Lagos held at Alausa, the 1936.2mm amount of rainfall predicted for 2023 was greater than the long-term average of 1721.48mm experienced in the state in the last 10 years.

He added that according to the Prediction released by the Nigerian Metrological Services, the State is predicted to experience an average to slightly above average rainfall amount and an elongated season length.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources, Engr.Joe Igbokwe, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello and Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr Lekan Shodeinde, during the year 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and it’s Socio-Economic implications for Lagos State, held at the Ministry’s Conference room, Secretariat, Alausa Ikeja,on 30th of March, 2023.

He stated that specifically, Ikeja is expected to have an annual amount of 1900mm while Badagry will experience 1978mm amount of rainfall.

Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe are expected to have rainfall with annual amounts of 1903mm, 1936mm and 1952mm respectively with onset dates of 1st of April and cessation of 3rd of December 2023.

“It is also expected that the recent increase in the frequency of extreme weather events will continue in 2023, with days of extremely high rainfall amounts that may result in flooding, largely because strong winds are expected during the onset and cessation of each rainfalls”.

He listed contributory factors to flooding to include the rise in the Lagoon level as a result of high tidal movement, which may “lock up” the discharge points of drainage channels and until the Lagoon recedes, there will be no discharge, allowing the backflows and all the generated storm water to immediately discharge, and the roads becoming free.

He explained that it is normal to have occasional flash floods when it rains, which would percolate rapidly just like it’s been experienced around the world, adding that it is only when rain storm water remains on the roads for hours that it can be reported as flooding.

He said the Ministry not only collaborates with NiMet annually in the Prediction which serves as early warning tool for all those concerned but the Government had plans in place to downscale the National Seasonal Climate Prediction for stakeholders locally.

He said the State had increased the preparedness for weather and flood-related issues by deploying its network of weather stations and river gauge stations to monitor the weather across the state and to monitor incoming rainfall stormwater from neighboring states such as Ogun, Oyo, and Osun that may result in increased water levels.

He added that the Ministry continues to embark on all-year-round drainage maintenance for effective flood control as well as sustainable solid waste management system saying, this year would not be different.

The Commissioner stressed that Government has continued to maintain the synergy and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) in order to effectively contain flooding in the state.

He added that OORBDA ensures the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches of the Ogun River saying the relationship has been highly beneficial and would be sustained.

He said Government had intensified its enlightenment efforts to sensitize residents in coastal and low-lying areas of the State such as Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo, and Ajegunle amongst others to relocate to the upland to avert loss of lives and property when the need arises.

He advised residents to report cases of drainage blockages and illegal dumping of waste on unauthorized places to the Resident/Drainage Engineers and zero-tolerance offices that are available in all 57 Local Governments Areas and Local Council Development Areas during and after the rainy season.

He said the Government is determined to collaborate with the authorities of the Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in order to have their own version of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang for monitoring of tertiary drains to ensure free flow drains into the secondary and primary collectors.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage and Water Resources Engr. Joe Igbokwe noted that Lagos would not relent in its efforts in environmental management even as people move into the state in large numbers.

He said the government is determined to continually manage flooding across the state even as it is a coastal city adding that Lagosians should refrain from acts that can lead to flash flooding.

In his remarks the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry Office of Drainage Services said the Ministry will be introducing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) which will make use of nature, using man-made features such as soak-aways, ponds and gently sloping channels (Swales) to attenuate and treat urban runoff.

He said the densely built and fully paved ground surface which is rampant in Lagos has distorted the normal hydrological cycle in the state and has given rise to increasing surface runoff ultimately resulting in flood incidences.

He advised Lagosians to continue to support the efforts of the Government by regularly clearing the drains in their frontage, he urged motorists to refrain from driving through the flood as this can result in submerging of vehicles and loss of lives.

Signed

Kunle Adeshina
Director (Public Affairs)
MOE &WR

March 30, 2023

As part of the efforts to ensure flood management and sustainable drainage networking, agencies of Government in Lagos State over the weekend met to strategize on the adaptation of the Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) in the State.

At a stakeholders forum held at the State Secretariat, Ikeja over the weekend, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde said it’s necessary for the State to bring up a homogenised drainage master plan comparable to that of roads and transportation.

PIX 0793:L-R: General Manager Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Tpl. Ajibike Shomade, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji, Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, Representative of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Bello Risikat and Permanent Secretary Office of Works, Arc. Odusanya Adebayo, during the stakeholders forum on sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS), held on 2nd of February, 2023 at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Conference room, the Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja.

He said all master plans in every sector of the State must be developed simultaneously for a model City plan to be achieved, saying that there is a need for drainage infrastructure master plan to combat the problem of flooding in Lagos.

He said what Lagos normally experiences is flash flooding caused by the torrential rainfalls which in volume is more than what the available drainage system can contain, adding that the flash flood usually subsides within hours.

He urged Lagosians to create retention and storage amenities in their homes for storage of storm water to assist in containing flooding in the State.

He said these storage facilities will serve as reservoir for harvesting storm water at the peak of the rainy season for later domestic use or slow discharge into the drains after rainfall.

Shodeinde, explained that this retention facilities have become essential as Lagos in recent times had been experiencing persistent rainfalls adding that flooding all over the world was rated as the second biggest of all natural disasters.

He stated that God being the master planner designed it that whenever it rained, 50% of rain water should be absorbed into the ground through deep and shallow percolation, 40% to stay on foliage being trees, grasses and other greens while only 5-10% of storm water is expected to flow into the drains.

PIX 0794: L-R: Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji, Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, Representative of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Bello Risikat and Permanent Secretary Office of Works, Arc. Odusanya Adebayo, during the stakeholders forum on sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS), held on 2nd of February, 2023 at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Conference room, the Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja.

Shodeinde said due to modernization, a lot of residents have concretized the floor of their homes thereby throwing out 90% of rain storm water into the drains adding that residents should try to replicate this natural phenomenon as this distortion is the real cause of flooding in the state.

He said the Ministry in synergy with other stakeholders and professional bodies in the building sector will guarantee there is a change in the construction methodology and approval process adding that this will ensure the creation of rain water storage facilities in each compound.

Chairman, House Committee on The Environment, Hon. Rotimi Abiru who was also at meeting called for an improved synergy and stakeholders involvement for a proper model City master plan to be achieved.

He said the state had a master plan which serves as a guide for development adding that for whatsoever reason there should not be a deviation from the master plan.

In his contribution, Perm Sec, Office of Works, Arch Adebayo Odusanya said the time has come for all agencies in the built and environment sector to go beyond just inviting sister agencies to stakeholders summit to merely rubber stamp decisions, but must involved in the planning and execution stages for optimum results.

Present at the stakeholders forum were technocrats in the built and environment sector.

Signed

Kunle Adeshina
Director (Public Affairs)
MOE &WR

February 5th 2023

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo -Olu on Thursday received the Presidential Technical Committee for the development of a comprehensive plan of action for preventing flood disasters in Nigeria, urging the FG to dredge major rivers in Nigeria.

Receiving the committee on behalf of Mr. Governor, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello said the time has come for the Federal Government to ensure the dredging of major rivers nationwide.

He called for more collaboration between Federal and State agencies towards ensuring that the incidences of major flooding incidences are reduced to the barest minimum.

He added that dredging the major rivers will reduce the vulnerability of coastal states to flooding issues as experienced by many States last year.

He said that Federal Government should take cognizance that river Niger, Benue, and Ogun among others over flow to states close to them once they rise.

PS, Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mrs. Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi, S.A Drainage, and WR, Engr.Joe Igbokwe, Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, Head Presidential Tech Committee on Flood Prevention Dr. Godstime James, MD, Ogun-Osun River Basin, Otunba Olufemi Odumosu & PS Drainage, Engr Nurudeen Shodeinde during FG’s Tech Committee of Flood Prevention visit

He said Lagos State Government has a proper Primary and Secondary Drainage masterplan in place to curtail the issue from time to time.

He added that from the beginning of every year, the Government engages in serious public enlightenment/education across the state after receiving yearly rainfall predictions from the Nigeria Institute of Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Service.

He said the state usually organizes media briefings before the rainy season, alerting the public about rainfall patterns and urging people living in low-lying and depressed areas to relocate to safer areas.

He explained that Lagos State Government usually embarks on a comprehensive all-year-round cleaning and maintenance dredging of drainage channels, and canals as well as constructing new drainages.

He noted that Lagos despite its peculiarities as a coastal state with low-lying terrains and a high population density among others was recorded flash flooding because of various measures put in place by the government.

L to R:  PS Office of Environmental Services, Omobolaji Gaji, his counterpart in Waterfront Infrastructure Development Mrs. Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi, Sp. Adviser Drainage & Water Resources, Engr.Joe Igbokwe, Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, Head Presidential Technical Committee on Flood Prevention, Dr. Godstime James, Managing Director, Ogun Osun River Basin Authority, Otunba Olufemi Odumosu, and the PS, Office of Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, during the visit of the FG’s Tech Committee on Flood prevention to Lagos on 5th Jan 2023 @ Alausa.

The leader of the Presidential Technical Committee, Dr. Godstime James explained that the Committee was established by the presidency following the flooding incidences that were recorded in the country in the year 2021.

He said the Committee is to check each State’s policies on flooding, establish causes of flooding and come up with solutions and strategies to minimize the impact on the citizenry.

James said the Committee was divided into the six geo-political zones of the country, adding that two States were selected per zone while adopting the bottom-to-top approach where each State of the federation will be listened to as well as the local communities in the flood-affected areas.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde said Lagos had always executed plans to ensure that the State does not experience flooding based on the awareness that the State is always affected by coastal, river, and urban flooding.

He noted that in the year 2022 Lagos mildly experienced flooding and this was achieved through the measures and policies put in place by the Ministry.

He appealed for a better synergy between Lagos State and the Federal Government to ensure that flooding is controlled with little or no impact on the people of Lagos.

SIGNED
KUNLE ADESHINA
Director(Public Affairs)
MOE&WR

…….. Says EFAG cleaned over 624 kilometers of drains across the State in 2022
……gives 13th-month salary, health insurance policy and rewards 26 personnel.

The Lagos State Government over the weekend feted, and rewarded hardworking operatives of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG), urging them to be more committed in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking at the end of the Year 2022/Award of Excellence event, held at Alausa, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello said that government would continue to provide the necessary logistics and moral support they require for better service delivery.

He said the EFAG team which was created in 2004 has been doing a good job in cleaning up secondary drains and manholes in the 52 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas across the state all year round.

While expressing kudos from the State Government for good performance in 2022, Bello said the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu also approved 100% 13th-month salary for the EFAG team this December.

PIX: 6145,6149,6092:L-R: Hon.Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Joe Igbokwe, Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde and his counterparts in Office of Environmental, Services Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, during the end of year party and Awards ceremony for men of the EFAG Gang, held over the weekend, at the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources Quadrangle, Secretariat, Alausa Ikeja.

He added that a free health insurance policy has been put in place considering the risk they are exposed to in the course of their duties.

He noted that Lagos did not experience serious flooding this year compared to other states in the country which was a result of the various measures put in place by the Government and the continuous cleaning of the drains by EFAG.

“I would like to reiterate that you are part of the Government’s structure and as you continue to work harder, more packages would always be put in place.
“Always bear in mind that hard work brings better welfare packages. I want you to know that to whom much is given much is expected” he said.

He stressed that the government of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to ensuring a sustainable cleaner, healthier and safer environment for its people.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Joe Igbokwe said the EFAG team members remain the pride of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

He said the Ministry will continue to give the necessary support needed, for them to keep up with the tempo at which they worked this year so that a flood-free Lagos will be achieved in 2023.

“I want to assure all members of the EFAG team that government will continue to take good care of you while you take care of the job for sustainability,” he said.

Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, while speaking at the event which also had his counterpart in Environmental Services in attendance, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen said the EFAG team cleaned over 624 kilometers of Drainages in 2022.

He added that the responsibility of EFAG is to clean drainages in all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas all through the year for easy passage of rainstorm water.

He said the team played a pivotal role in the State and this made them to be the heartbeat of the Environment Ministry, adding that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo – Olu has therefore placed them on a good Accident Insurance Policy.

He added that the Accident Insurance Policy covers all unforeseen hazards such as injuries, physical disability or death amongst others that may occur during the course of their duties.

He disclosed that members of EFAG and three of their family members are registered under the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) and the operatives also receive hazard allowance.

Commendation awards and cash gifts were thereafter distributed to outstanding officers of EFAG team and some of their coordinators.

Signed
Kunle Adeshina
Director (Public Affairs )
MOE&WR
December 26, 2022