Lagos State Government has disclosed that the state
is expected to experience 270 days of rains this year, even as the state government
warned that anyone found blocking the drainage system will henceforth be
prosecuted.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Water
Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, who disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday, said
the figure is based on the forecasts of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency
(NMET), as well as on the peculiarity of Lagos as a coaster state and its
strategic position as the economic hub of the country, which have made it
necessary to inform the people in order to allay their fears ahead of the rainy
season.
Bello, who was flanked by the Special Adviser to
the Governor on Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said
given the seasonal flooding in the state which the state government has done a
lot to ameliorate, the government would no longer tolerate indiscriminate
dumping of refuse in the state, especially along the drainage system.
"Worthy of note is the increasing frequency of
extreme weather which has indicated that 2020 will likely experience days with
extremely high amount of rains, which may result in flooding," Bello said.
He said the state government has rehabilitated or
constructed 168 channels in the state which would take floodwaters to the
lagoon.
“The Emergency Flood Abatement Drainage Maintenance
Department of the Ministry of Environment has been consistently de-silting and
working on secondary collectors and conduits to enable them discharge
efficiently and act as a retention basin.
“To forestall the incidences of collapse of
telecommunications’ masts and advertisement structures occasioned by high
velocity of the wind expected during the beginning and cessation of every
rainfall, Lagos Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) and Lagos
State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) have been directed to ensure
advertising and communication agencies comply with regulations on safety and
stability of billboards and telecommunications’ masts,” the commissioner
stated.
Bello lamented that building houses on natural
waterways and sand filling drainage channels without permission would no longer
be tolerated even as he threatened that markets with dirty environments will
also be shut down.
He, however, urged residents to desist from
indiscriminate dumping of refuse into water channels to reduce the effect of
flooding that possibly accompany the expected heavy rainfall.
The commissioner said: “I want to assure you that
our state will continue to reap the gains of planning, as our flood control
measures are being stepped up to contain any unforeseen weather condition.
"I am glad to note that relevant measures have
been put in place in preparation for 2020 rainy season."
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