Due to the recent flooding that has ravaged some states in Nigeria, the Lagos state government has advised those living in lowland areas of the state to evacuate their homes to avoid any form of casualty.
Asides from the heavy downpour being witnessed in the state, the recent flood have severely affected those living in low-land areas, which has led to the displacement of thousands of residents and the loss of properties.
However, some residents in affected areas have relocated while many are still there, stating that they have nowhere to go.
The Lagos state government has therefore urged them to evacuate their homes, assuring them that they have machineries on ground, such as homes where people who have been displaced by any form of disaster are kept.
Commenting on the recent flooding in the state, The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso said, “It (relocation) is advisory, and we always give that advisory whenever we see that there is the likelihood of flooding. We gave the same advisory last year and we also gave same advisory over a month ago, but the people are still there.
“We don’t pray for disasters but if anything untoward happens, the state has a machinery to contain disasters, to contain emergencies. All our emergency workers are there. LASEMA is alive, the Fire Brigade people are alive.
“In fact, they have just received 52 vehicles that Mr. Governor is set to hand over, on Thursday, to them. And they have employed, like, 500 people who are firemen. So, should there be any emergency, the state is ready.
“We have advised those living in lowland areas, that they should move to upland areas so that we don’t have any casualties.
“We have a system to manage the situation, that we can press into service in a matter of seconds. We have emergency management agencies that are prepared for that kind of emergency. I assure you that Lagos would not be caught unawares.”
The state government has therefore embarked on massive drainage clearance as well as the construction of new water channels to free up the manhole capacity of the drains to contain run-offs Investors King understands.
