The Lagos State Government has declared that a staggering 80 percent of the flooding incidents within the state are a direct result of human activities.
This revelation was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu.
Addressing local council representatives in Lagos, Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu highlighted the ongoing flood mitigation and adaptation awareness campaign led by LASEMA under the theme “A Flood Free Lagos 2023: Building Flood Resilience is our Collective Responsibility.”
The campaign aims to raise awareness about flood prevention strategies and rally collective efforts to combat the growing issue.
Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu emphasized that LASEMA has conducted extensive analysis of flooding incidents across various local councils within the senatorial district.
The objective of this analysis is to sensitize local authorities and provide them with the tools to effectively address the issue.
He urged the establishment of a structured chain of command within each council to ensure swift responses to flood-related challenges, while sternly warning against a negligent approach to waste disposal.
Asserting that the considerable investments made by the state government in emergency management will only yield desired outcomes through sustained commitment and support from local councils and residents, Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts.
During the event, Femi Kabir, Vice Chairman of the Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), acknowledged that poor drainage systems were a primary culprit behind the recurring flooding incidents.
He assured that the advice provided by LASEMA regarding necessary interventions would be diligently implemented.
Kabir stated, “We are going back home to strengthen the advocacy on flood prevention.
“We will meet with the Community Development Council (CDC) and Community Development Associations (CDAs) to curb indiscriminate dumping of refuse. We have been designing and clearing the gutters.”
He further emphasized their commitment to translating LASEMA’s insights into tangible actions within their communities, thus averting disasters stemming from flooding.
The comprehensive efforts of the Lagos State Government, as well as the proactive involvement of local councils and residents, are seen as pivotal to effectively combating the menace of flooding and creating a more flood-resilient Lagos.
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