The Lagos State Government on Tuesday allayed fears of Idumagbo and environs on the incessant flood occasioned by the low lying nature of the area and the rising sea level, assuring that necessary measures including the pumping of water from the depressed areas are ongoing and will effectively manage the flooding.
Addressing protesters who converged at Illubirin in Lagos Island, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello explained that the whole affected area is depressed as such water cannot flow into the drains naturally.
He stated that a permanent solution which will involve the provision of 3 bigger pumps of 3000m cube per minute M3 is already underway as well as a reconstruction of the drainage outlet.
“Each one of those pumps will need a generator with a capacity of 400KVA and will be provided to power each of the pumps”, he added.
Responding to the request for demolition of the natural embankment used to prevent the ingress of water from the lagoon, the Commissioner who was represented by the director of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, ENGR Mahmoud Adegbite extended an invitation to representatives of the protesters to the Office at Alausa on Wednesday for further explanations on the need for the embankment.
He added that the embarkment was necessary to prevent water from coming in from the lagoon.
Bello stated that Climate change was part of what is being experienced and it is happening all over the world, adding that some cities have not recovered from its effects.
According to him, Lagos is part of the sinking cities, but the government will never fold their arms and let the untoward happen, adding that Lagos Island is a low-lying area which explains the convergence of water.
He added that as a follow-up to the meeting with representatives of the protesters on Wednesday, officials of the ministry will also visit Ilubirin on Saturday with residents to have a first-hand experience of the level of the water.
Earlier, the spokesperson for the protesters, Mr. Mukadass Maja, while speaking, said their demand for a lasting solution is to pull down the embankment that prevents the ingress of water from the lagoon, to allow free flow of water.
He said many of the streets, shops, mosques, churches, police stations, and schools in the areas are seriously flooded and is affecting the economy of the areas.
Some of the affected areas include Ojo Giwa, Jankara, Idu Garan, Okoya amongst others and some affected schools include King Ado High School and St. Patrick Primary school.
Signed
Kunle Adeshina
Director Public Affairs
MOE &WR
April 26, 2022