Juliana Francis
Following Sunday and Tuesday’s excessive rainfall, Nigerians have been urged to notice the powerful signal of what may unfold upon the onset of 2024 rainfall.
The Lagos Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said it was important to imbibe the culture of disaster risk reduction strategies in all societal endeavours.
On Monday, he said: “We must begin adhering to safety measures against flood disasters. No life was lost, and no one was injured. At the moment, the continuous disruption of the normal lives of the people is still ongoing.
“However, preliminary assessment in some communities affected by the rainfall have shown that at Oke Ishagun about 23 houses have been evacuated, at Isale Aboru 35 houses are affected, at Ikola Community 29 houses affected, at Olubodun Majiyagbe – Ajayi 15 houses affected, Makinde Street 12 houses impacted, Olokowo Street 16 houses affected and Adeola Street 21 houses affected.”
He stressed that NEMA was working with appropriate State MDAs in amelioration of observations and findings from Tuesday’s incident and the State has promised to make sure no stone is unturned to make the State safer
The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed hereby appeal to Nigerians to start clearing their drainages of dirt and desilt them.
Ahmed also implored Community Development Associations to live up to their responsibility in coordinating the activities of neighbourhoods toward safer environments,
He also said: “Local Government Authorities must not spare the rods against corporate organisations blocking the drainages while people must be prosecuted for blockage of drainages, dumping of refuse in drainages as envisaged in environmental laws to safe the society. The Director General expressed his support for the Lagos State Government’s bold decision after the 2023 rainy season by pulling down drainage obstructing structures across various parts of the State.”
He urged other State Governments to emulate the Lagos State good example in taking bold steps towards making our environment safer with the difficult actions that will ensure the safety of the lives and property of Nigerians in Lagos State
