GODFREY GEORGE tells the story of residents of intellectual Lekki, Ikoyi and Ajah areas in Lagos who’ve needed to endure losses after flooding attributable to heavy rainfall
Streets turned streams. Reptiles got here out to play within the floodwater that overflowed roads and seeped into the properties of the wealthy, forcing them to go away their palatial mansions for accommodations. On Wednesday, July 4, 2024, the skies didn’t cease to cry for greater than 10 hours. The rains continued that night and brought about relentless flooding. By Thursday, floating furnishings, TVs, mattresses and kids’s toys have been sighted in a number of movies posted on-line.
In a number of of these on-line movies, many residents confirmed how they needed to wade by murky waters to go away their properties.
A selected lady, who mentioned her title was Mrs Shade, lamented how she had misplaced all the pieces in a house she paid a lease of N3.5m yearly for. A brief tour around her home confirmed it was a two-bedroom condominium with a balcony and an additional rest room.
When contacted on Fb, she informed our correspondent that she paid an agent payment of N250,000 when she moved in October 2023.
“I haven’t even stayed as much as one 12 months in the home. I’ve misplaced all the pieces. From my TV, to my new fridge, my furnishings, my mattress and each worthwhile I’ve used greater than 10 years of my life to construct are all gone,” she mentioned.
Shade’s expertise mirrors that of many residents within the space that has needed to battle this recurring nightmare which has grow to be a distressing hallmark of residing in a few of Lagos’ most prosperous neighborhoods, elevating questions on city planning, infrastructure, and the tasks of presidency and residents alike.
Roads have been impassable when our correspondent visited a well-liked property within the Lekki Section II space on Wednesday night. Properties have been left opened and residents, our correspondent learnt, had fled as their havens had grow to be uninhabitable.
A number of residents have been seen navigating the floodwaters, making an attempt to salvage their belongings.
In lots of circumstances, properties price thousands and thousands have been broken or destroyed, with vehicles, furnishings, and electronics among the many most typical casualties.
In a single compound, three vehicles which have been parked outdoors a car parking zone had been half-submerged. It will take an skilled automobile mechanic to carry out his/her magic to make these vehicles begin.
Upstairs, a person and his spouse pointed all the way down to the flood downstairs. It appeared they’d resorted to remaining up there. However, for a way lengthy? The scenario was chaotic.
As our correspondent waded by to evaluate the extent of injury, the couple upstairs shouted, asking our correspondent to maneuver again. In accordance with them, there are reptiles within the water.
“Hey, return. Snakes and alligators may be within the water. This morning, a younger boy was crushed by a reptile. Please, return,” she mentioned.
Our correspondent, now afraid, waded backwards with a cellphone torch until he acquired to the start of the road upland.
An environmentalist, Mrs Peace Tommy, informed our correspondent that the presence of reptiles, resembling snakes, is frequent in flood-prone areas.
She mentioned these reptiles sought refuge from the rising waters, creating extra hazards for the already beleaguered inhabitants.
Effective structure
It’s no information that the Ikoyi, Lekki, Ajah areas are synonymous with affluence and wealth for a lot of Lagosians. In motion pictures and trendy social life, a number of individuals have related to the areas, known as ‘the Island’ because the proof of standing and sophistication.
Effective structure and expensively-built properties are an everyday sight. Gated estates and excessive safety are additionally attribute of the realm. However as soon as it rains, the place turns into an eyesore. Floodwater strikes into properties and destroy the tremendous buildings which are sometimes very costly.
A preferred dwelling agent within the space, Mr Babashola Ogunshola, informed our correspondent that the most affordable anybody would get a studio condominium (one room with rest room and/or shared kitchen) on the Island could be N1.2m.
“Even within the Ajah space which isn’t as developed as Lekki Phases I and II, you’ll not get a great dwelling for something lower than N1m, together with agent and warning charges,” he mentioned.
Requested why, he merely mentioned, “It’s Island life! In the event you gained’t have the ability to pay, keep within the mainland.”
A grim recurrence
Wednesday’s episode of flooding shouldn’t be an remoted incident however a part of a troubling sample that has plagued these intellectual areas for years.
Regardless of the exorbitant property costs—the place a single-room flat can command rents as excessive as N3.5 million or extra—the frequency and severity of flooding have solely elevated. The foundation causes of this persistent downside are multifaceted, involving each pure and man-made components.
One of many major causes for the recurrent flooding, specialists have famous, is the development of buildings on floodplains and insufficient drainage programs.
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Setting and Water Sources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, had, on a number of events in 2023 warned residents from constructing on drainage setbacks.
A number of buildings which have been constructed on these setbacks regardless of authorities’s repeated warnings have been introduced down throughout a routine train in October 2023.
Additionally, environmentalists and city planners have famous that many properties in Lekki, Ikoyi, and Ajah are constructed on reclaimed land, which is of course vulnerable to flooding.
Tommy, commenting on the topography, mentioned, “The drainage programs in these areas are sometimes clogged with silt and particles, severely limiting their capability to handle heavy rainfall. In accordance with specialists, round 75 per cent of the drainage capability in some elements of Lagos is misplaced attributable to neglect and poor upkeep.”
The frustration
A resident in one of many properties in Lekki, Mrs Adebola Akinwunmi, recounting her ordeal, mentioned, “I woke as much as discover my lounge submerged in water. Our house is a two storey constructing. The bedrooms are upstairs and the lounge, downstairs. I knew it was raining however I didn’t know it might breach my dwelling’s defences and enter into my livingroom.
“As I communicate to you, nothing in that livingroom is salvageable. Every thing is gone. Exterior, it was as if the flood needed to hold our vehicles away. My husband didn’t know what to do. Our mechanic mentioned he had a lot work to do and couldn’t come within the flood. I gained’t even let him as a result of I do know there are a number of reptiles within the space.
“My kids are nonetheless scared. We merely locked the constructing and located our method to a peaceful lodge with out the chaos. We’ll be right here until all of it blows over and we’ll then see how we will save the mess. I’m certain there may be nothing we will do, however we’ll work one thing out,” she mentioned.
On how she acquired out, she mentioned, “My husband carried the kids and I and crossed the flood. Very courageous man! I used to be so scared for him. He needed to climb onto furnishings to remain dry. All our home equipment are ruined, and the harm is past restore, however we thank God for all times.”
One other resident who’s an govt of the Lekki Residents Affiliation, who didn’t need to give his title, mentioned he’s past devastated.
“I knew the floods have been coming so I ready myself since January. I referred to as a mason who got here and did some reconstruction on the fence. He additionally did some type of reinforcement, in order that, come what might, the floods wouldn’t enter my dwelling.
“All these have been nothing. Because the rains poured, it was as if I used to be outdoors. The water in my home is sort of at knee degree. I needed to get my employees to bail it out however then, we don’t understand how protected the connections are. It may result in electrocution. It is vitally unhappy and complicated scenario, I need to say,” the supply mentioned.
In Ajah, residents used canoes to navigate flooded streets.
Marketplaces have been deserted as merchants scrambled to save lots of their items from the rising waters. Colleges and companies have been compelled to shut, and lots of commuters have been stranded as main roads turned impassable.
Warning from companies
In accordance with the 2024 Seasonal Local weather Prediction for Nigeria launched by the Nigerian Meteorological Company on February 20 in Abuja, coastal states like Lagos may have a excessive quantity of rainfall in 2024.
NiMet mentioned, “In 2024, the annual rainfall quantity is prone to vary between 418 millimetres within the far northern states and over 3000 millimetres within the coastal states.
“The annual rainfall quantity is predicted to be under regular over Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kano, Kebbi, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Delta, and Bayelsa states when in comparison with their long-term averages. Nevertheless, different elements of the nation are prone to observe regular to above regular annual rainfall quantity.
“The prediction of the 12 months 2024 signifies a standard to under regular rainfall exercise throughout most elements of the nation. Coastal cities and low-lying areas of Nigeria, Benue, Kogi, Rivers, Bayelsa and Anambra states are at increased threat of flooding. A number of disasters can happen in the course of the onset and cessation interval of the wet season attributable to violent storms related to that interval. Flash floods can’t be dominated out due to extreme rainfall anticipated in some areas.”
The Nationwide Emergency Administration Company, on Could 3, printed an advisory video on its web site itemizing some flood-prone states.
These states embrace Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Edo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Lagos, Kwara, Oyo, Taraba, and Sokoto states.
“Clear away stable waste that blocks drainages and waterways to mitigate flooding. Don’t construct on waterways. Don’t stroll by flood waters. Evacuate from flood-prone areas to protected increased grounds. Take heed to climate forecasts and adjust to security directions,” introduced NEMA.
In response to the latest flash floods affecting some areas in Lagos State, the Lagos State Emergency Administration Company issued a directive urging residents to stay calm and train warning as they go about their every day actions.
This was contained in an announcement shared by the Company’s Everlasting Secretary, Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, and made obtainable to our correspondent on Wednesday.
Oke-Osanyintolu mentioned seven individuals have been rescued on June 3 from a collapsed constructing because of the heavy and constant rainfall in Ewenla within the Mushin space of the state.
The everlasting secretary suggested that residents ought to minimise outside actions and journey solely when needed.
He mentioned, “The Company and different key responders are on excessive alert whereas urging the great individuals of Lagos to stay calm and chorus from any non-essential travels because of the incidence of flash floods throughout the State.
He added that each one emergency companies can be found to reply to misery calls and supply needed help
Lagos can not escape flash floods – Govt
The Director of Public Affairs of the Ministry of Setting and Water Sources, Kunle Adesina, throughout an interview with our correspondent mentioned the Ministry is conscious of flash floods circumstances in some areas, including that there are measures in place to forestall lack of lives and property.
Adesina defined that flash floods needs to be anticipated as a result of Lagos state is a coastal metropolis surrounded by waters. He nonetheless famous that the water ranges would normalise a number of hours after heavy rainfall.
He mentioned, “It was not concerning the response of the ministry to the latest flash floods. We’ve got at all times put proactive measures in place for instances like these. We’ve got year-round packages and measures relating to drainage upkeep and development. Lagos is a coastal metropolis and one-third of Lagos is beneath water.
“We all know that there’s rainfall on a yearly foundation and there are seasonal rainfall patterns launched at the start of every 12 months. This serves as a information to all of the states together with us. We even have climate stations that now we have created together with a water degree monitoring group. Lagos is on the receiving finish of about seven rivers from totally different states. So, we’re on the receiving finish every time rain falls.
“Lagos may have greater than regular rainfall. That’s the reason we had a significant press briefing early this 12 months to reveal what’s prone to occur for us. We additionally despatched an advisory, telling individuals who have homes in flood-prone areas to vacate their properties when heavy rain begins. They’ll stick with their relations in the intervening time.
“What we expertise in Lagos is flash floods and this occurs when the magnitude of rain is a lot on the Island which is discharged into the Lagoon, the water degree of the Lagoon rises.
“So, you’ll have flash floods in some areas. However the fact is that two or three hours later, you’ll realise that the flash flood is gone, and all the pieces returns again to regular.
“Throughout the latest rainfall, we deployed our emergency responders to some areas like Olopomeji the place the water paths had been blocked by refuse and are experiencing flash floods. After clearing the paths, we found that all the pieces was again to regular some hours later.”
Adesina famous that whereas flash floods mustn’t trigger panic as it’s manageable, residents may worsen the scenario by establishing buildings or dumping refuse on water paths. This, he mentioned, may block water movement and lead to flooding.
He mentioned, “Folks drop refuse on water paths, and it’s as a result of they don’t need to patronise waste collectors. These are the identical those who get up very early within the morning and drop their refuse on the street. That’s the reason the state waste administration company deploys its taskforce to go spherical, and so they have been seeing individuals popping out at 12 midnight to dump refuse on the street. Lots of them are elite. On the finish of the day, the act will come again to hunt them and the entire atmosphere.
‘Get a spot earlier than transferring to Lagos’
“1000’s of individuals are coming into Lagos with out contemplating the place they need to dwell, the infrastructure they are going to rely upon, and different components. There’s freedom of motion so we can not forestall them from coming in. however these individuals don’t have anyplace to dwell. They construct shacks and defecate on the street. Folks additionally construct homes in flood-prone areas. These amongst different habits are endangering the individuals and the atmosphere. Folks know what is true however don’t do it,” Adesina added.
Talking on the long-term measures by the ministry, the spokesperson mentioned, “A part of what the ministry is doing is the development of infrastructure to assist water motion. Contracts have been awarded for the development of recent canals and restore of already present ones. Since Lagos is a coastal metropolis, there shall be flash floods when there may be torrential rainfall however we proceed to make sure that needed infrastructure is in place to permit the waters to cross.
“We additionally be sure that individuals are enlightened occasionally. What’s safer is that they need to not construct homes on flood plains. Some individuals have determined to go and meet the water in its pure habitat. Whenever you push water away from its habitat, the water will struggle again when it rains.”
‘Take away unlawful buildings’
In the meantime on January 31, the Lagos State Commissioner for Bodily Planning and City Improvement, Olumide Oluyinka, in an announcement, mentioned the federal government would begin the removing of unlawful constructing attachments and conversions throughout the state by February 15.
“The state wouldn’t tolerate the spate of lawlessness witnessed in industrial centres resembling Lagos Island, Ikeja, and Iyana-Ipaja, the place retailers are illegally prolonged with sheds and metal exterior stairways in a bid to draw clients,” he mentioned
Oluyinka defined that those that erected buildings inside the proper of approach of energy strains, canals, and pipelines to arrange for enormous enforcement by the ministry, including those that erected buildings inside the proper of approach of energy strains, canals, and pipelines to arrange for enormous enforcement by the ministry in two weeks’ time.
Equally, on June 23, the Commissioner of Setting and Water Sources, Wahab Tokunbo, issued a 14-day ultimatum for house owners of buildings within the Sangotedo within the Lekki, Okota, and Isolo areas of the state, noting that some locations within the space had been recognized for the development of drainage channels.
Tokunbo made the announcement whereas conducting an inspection to some websites within the areas the place constructions had begun.
The commissioner mentioned, “The period of environmental indiscipline and nuisance are over in Lagos. We is not going to draw back from implementing all related legal guidelines no matter whose ox is gored. Lagos regardless of its peculiarities as a coastal state with low-lying terrains and a excessive inhabitants density amongst others has remained afloat due to varied measures put in place by the federal government.
“Local weather change is actual and there’s a cholera outbreak. We should know that each one these items are interwoven. We should all be accountable and responsive as a individuals. Folks can not proceed to overtly abuse the atmosphere and anticipate that there shall be no penalties.
“A 48-hour contravention discover has been served to house owners of buildings mendacity throughout the channels and 14 days abatement and when that elapses the regulation will take its course.
“We’ll begin full enforcement after the expiration of all notices with an choice of voluntary compliance.”
Extra studies by BABATUNDE TITILOLA