By Tosin Adesile
Lagos is the commercial nerve of Nigeria, referred to as the largest economy in West Africa, her economic status also makes the Centre of Excellence attract many people not only in Nigeria, but beyond the shores of the country, as a result of which the state is is crowded, while still experiencing an influx of new people everyday.
Because of her large and expanding population, housing is a challenge. Space is at a premium, and people build on any available space, whether legally or illegally.
The climate change has led to an increase in rainfall, which posed a huge problem as people have built houses on waterways, canals, drainages,etc. Some have houses too close to rivers and major water ways. It is said that water will always find its way, so if the drainages, canals and water ways are not available for water to pass through,the result is inevitable.
As we speak,many residents in Lagos are distressed as a result of rise in rainfall, and in sea level resulting in flooding; In one of the many cases, It was discovered that the downpour damaged some parts of the Agege Market where traders counted their loss due to the damage caused by the water.
It was also learnt after a heavy downpour that a wooden pedestrian bridge for crossing to the other side of the flyover was destroyed by the flood.
The Lagos State Emergency Agency released a statement saying that following the downpour which occurred last Saturday and Sunday, an elderly woman suffering from a stroke was trapped in a building in the Ipaja area of the state.
Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu,
Permanent Secretary of LASEMA,said the agency responded to a distress call concerning the incident.
Oke-Osanyintolu said, “A search and rescue operation by the agency’s response team confirmed the victim to be alive although suffering from a stroke.
“The woman has been extricated from the building and the pre-hospital care unit of the agency is administering first aid to the victim before she is transported to the hospital.
“We have been responding to distress calls throughout Lagos with reports on flooding and flood damage in affected areas and reassure the good people of Lagos that we are on standby via our emergency lines 112/767 and 0806 090 7333.
Also,Ibrahim Farinloye,Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State said two persons were feared dead in the Orile-Agege flooding.
Farinloye said, “Two vehicles, a Lexus and a Toyota, containing three persons each, were involved in the flooding. The residents reportedly warned the occupants of the vehicles to desist from passing through the said road but they were adamant, drove through, and were eventually swept away by the flood.
“One of the occupants of the vehicle swam out of the flood, while two others were helped by residents. Although three instead of four were found, two others are still missing.”
The Lagos State government should increase efforts at ensuring strict adherence to the building plans of Lagos by clearing all drainages, waterways and canals. Also, illegal structures built on waterways, impeding the free flow of water should be demolished, while people should be further sensitized on the dangers of dumping refuse in gutters and canals.
All hands must be on deck to ensure Lagos becomes flood free.