The Lagos State Government on Tuesday allayed fears of residents of Idumagbo and environs on the incessant flood occasioned by the low-lying nature of the area and the rising sea level.
Addressing protesters who converged at Illubirin in Lagos Island, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, explained that the affected areas are depressed and, as such, water cannot flow into the drains naturally.
He assured that necessary measures, including the pumping of water from the depressed areas, are ongoing and will effectively manage the flooding.
He stated that the permanent solution will involve the provision of three bigger pumps of 3000m cube per minute as well as a reconstruction of the drainage outlet, adding that each pump will need a generator with a capacity of 400KVA to power each one.
Responding to the request for demolition of the natural embankment used to prevent the ingress of water from the Lagoon, the Commissioner extended an invitation to representatives of the protesters to the Ministry at Alausa on Wednesday for further explanations on the need for the embankment.
He pointed out that the embankment was necessary to prevent water from coming in from the Lagoon.
Bello stated that global Climate Change is responsible for occurrences being experienced all over the world, adding that some cities have not recovered from its effects.
According to him, Lagos is part of the sinking cities but the government will never fold its arms and let the untoward happen, explaining that the low-lying nature of Lagos Island is responsible for the convergence of water.
Giving an assurance that officials of the Ministry will visit Ilubirin with residents to have a first-hand experience of the water level on Saturday, Bello maintained that a follow-up meeting with protesters would still hold on Wednesday.
Earlier, the spokesperson for the protesters, Mr. Mukadass Maja, said their demand for a lasting solution is to pull down the embankment that prevents the ingress of water from the Lagoon to allow free flow of water.
Maja said many of the streets, shops, mosques, churches, police stations and schools in the areas are seriously flooded and is affecting the local economy.
Some of the affected areas include Ojo Giwa, Jankara, Iduganran and Okoya, amongst others, as well as some affected schools including King Ado High School and St. Patrick Primary school.
