On Tuesday, the communities of Command and Ipaja in Lagos were hit hard by heavy rainfall, affecting around 151 houses, as reported by Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, the Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Farinloye stated that an initial assessment of the impacted areas showed that residents from 23 houses in Oke Ishagun, 35 houses in Isale Aboru, 29 houses in Ikola Community, and 15 houses in Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi had to be evacuated. Other areas affected included 12 houses on Makinde Street, 16 on Olokowo Street, and 21 on Adeola Street, among others.
Farinloye reassured the public that NEMA, along with relevant state agencies, is actively working to help those affected by the flood. He also emphasized Lagos State’s dedication to improving safety for its residents.
The heavy rain on Tuesday, along with an earlier downpour, is a sign of what to expect in the upcoming 2024 rainy season, according to Farinloye. He stressed the need to implement disaster risk reduction strategies and follow safety precautions to avoid flood disasters.
Thankfully, there were no casualties or injuries from the flooding. Farinloye was thankful for this and highlighted the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In the meantime, the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed, has urged Nigerians to clear and clean drainages proactively. He emphasized the importance of Community Development Associations (CDAs) in coordinating activities to create safer neighborhoods.
Ahmed also called on local government authorities to enforce penalties against companies that block drainages near their offices. He stressed the need to prosecute residents who dump garbage in drainages, in line with environmental laws.
He praised Lagos State for taking decisive actions, such as demolishing structures that obstructed drainages after the 2023 rainy season. Ahmed encouraged other state governments to follow suit and take bold steps to improve environmental safety.
