FLOOD IN LAGOS

On Saturday 8 of July 2017, flood ravaged the once bubbling CBD, Victoria Island, Lekki and Victoria Garden city all in Lagos Island of Lagos state Nigeria. This districts which is the abode of the high and mighty in Lagos was referred to a “no movement zone”. Reptiles could be seen in houses and movement was temporarily shut down, the only advice from the government was that individuals to remain indoors till the situation subsides.

Figure 1 shows flood along Lekki/Epe highway

Against this background, the Lagos flood has been dominating public discussions because we have allowed these situation to look like normal, been a religious society some individuals named it “miracle rain”, foreigners turned the flood to kayak and canoeing competition, miscreant turned it into swimming competition and others turned it into government negligence etc.

But one thing is certain, the resultant Lagos flood is as a result of man ingenuity to man. Why would I make such statement? This is not far fetch from the fact that the continuous flooding of Lagos and most Nigeria cities is as a result of lack of planning, effect of reclamation, poor drainage mechanisms, lackluster altitude of Nigerians and our ability not to be resolute in planning and development control. One can imagine the amount of revenue lost by individuals and government agencies.

The issue of flooding cannot be far fetch from the poor planning system of Lagos state; it is appalling that it was not recently that the government banned street touts from land administration and control. The resultant effect of Omonile (Land grabbers) cannot be overemphasis when it comes to planning in Lagos. Lands were allocated indiscriminately without provision for drainages, roads, sewage disposal and green area development. It was recently that the government regulated its land policy system. This led to indiscriminate cluster building and shanties on canals. One wonder that if new districts like Ajah and some part of Lekki could be given small touch of the Abuja model of district development whereby public utility facilities are provided before lands are allocated. The pressure along Lekki epe expressway is much and there is no complete drainage. Canals are blocked and even drainage constructed by estates along this district are stagnant. Public developers and works should collaborate on measure to opening up canals along this route and the Lagos master plan enforced in development and building control.

Figure 2 show the level of flood

Figure 3 shows Eko atlantic city been built from reclamation

On the issue of reclamation, the Eko Atlantic city development and continuous dredging in Ikate, Ajah, Lagbasa Ado etc would continually cause flood around adjourning communities. It is proven that land reclamation would improve a particular district but destroy other communities. What plans were put in place by the Chagoury group and other property developers to help check effect of reclamation? One wonder the Rio Olympic presentation on ecological issues affecting the world, Lagos reclamation was mentioned and a responsive government would have taken such declaration seriously and look at stakeholders approach in ameliorating such issues. What level of environmental impact assessment carried by property developers and who was responsible for approval? The federal ministry of environment and its state counterpart should put their head in shame for the continuous flooding in Nigeria. What about the issue of ecological funds disbursed to state government that is another issue for another day?

The altitude of Lagosians dumping refuse in drainages should be stopped and stakeholders involved in the orientation of the people on the dangers of indiscriminate dumping of refuse. The ministry of environment should stop its rhetoric’s on the situation and act. Emergency alert should be declared and a national emergency center for evacuation, evaluation, control and rehabilitation be set up. There should be a state legislation to punish environment offenders and issue bothering on conservation should be looked into because the Lekki conservation center (LCC) has lost most of its aquatic animals as a result of this flood. PSP operators with collaboration of the Lagos waste management agency (LAWMA) should enlighten their operators on standard best practices and set agenda for inclusive service and enforcement of laws which will protect the environment and apprehend offenders. The clean Lagos initiative should be all encompassing and every stakeholders involved.

FLOOD IN LAGOS

On Saturday 8 of July 2017, flood ravaged the once bubbling CBD, Victoria Island, Lekki and Victoria Garden city all in Lagos Island of Lagos state Nigeria. This districts which is the abode of the high and mighty in Lagos was referred to a “no movement zone”. Reptiles could be seen in houses and movement was temporarily shut down, the only advice from the government was that individuals to remain indoors till the situation subsides.

Figure 1 shows flood along Lekki/Epe highway

Against this background, the Lagos flood has been dominating public discussions because we have allowed these situation to look like normal, been a religious society some individuals named it “miracle rain”, foreigners turned the flood to kayak and canoeing competition, miscreant turned it into swimming competition and others turned it into government negligence etc.

But one thing is certain, the resultant Lagos flood is as a result of man ingenuity to man. Why would I make such statement? This is not far fetch from the fact that the continuous flooding of Lagos and most Nigeria cities is as a result of lack of planning, effect of reclamation, poor drainage mechanisms, lackluster altitude of Nigerians and our ability not to be resolute in planning and development control. One can imagine the amount of revenue lost by individuals and government agencies.

The issue of flooding cannot be far fetch from the poor planning system of Lagos state; it is appalling that it was not recently that the government banned street touts from land administration and control. The resultant effect of Omonile (Land grabbers) cannot be overemphasis when it comes to planning in Lagos. Lands were allocated indiscriminately without provision for drainages, roads, sewage disposal and green area development. It was recently that the government regulated its land policy system. This led to indiscriminate cluster building and shanties on canals. One wonder that if new districts like Ajah and some part of Lekki could be given small touch of the Abuja model of district development whereby public utility facilities are provided before lands are allocated. The pressure along Lekki epe expressway is much and there is no complete drainage. Canals are blocked and even drainage constructed by estates along this district are stagnant. Public developers and works should collaborate on measure to opening up canals along this route and the Lagos master plan enforced in development and building control.

Figure 2 show the level of flood

Figure 3 shows Eko atlantic city been built from reclamation

On the issue of reclamation, the Eko Atlantic city development and continuous dredging in Ikate, Ajah, Lagbasa Ado etc would continually cause flood around adjourning communities. It is proven that land reclamation would improve a particular district but destroy other communities. What plans were put in place by the Chagoury group and other property developers to help check effect of reclamation? One wonder the Rio Olympic presentation on ecological issues affecting the world, Lagos reclamation was mentioned and a responsive government would have taken such declaration seriously and look at stakeholders approach in ameliorating such issues. What level of environmental impact assessment carried by property developers and who was responsible for approval? The federal ministry of environment and its state counterpart should put their head in shame for the continuous flooding in Nigeria. What about the issue of ecological funds disbursed to state government that is another issue for another day?

The altitude of Lagosians dumping refuse in drainages should be stopped and stakeholders involved in the orientation of the people on the dangers of indiscriminate dumping of refuse. The ministry of environment should stop its rhetoric’s on the situation and act. Emergency alert should be declared and a national emergency center for evacuation, evaluation, control and rehabilitation be set up. There should be a state legislation to punish environment offenders and issue bothering on conservation should be looked into because the Lekki conservation center (LCC) has lost most of its aquatic animals as a result of this flood. PSP operators with collaboration of the Lagos waste management agency (LAWMA) should enlighten their operators on standard best practices and set agenda for inclusive service and enforcement of laws which will protect the environment and apprehend offenders. The clean Lagos initiative should be all encompassing and every stakeholders involved.