NEMA cautions Nigerians as 151 houses flooded in Lagos rain 

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has charged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of disaster risk reduction strategies following Tuesday’s heavy rainfall in Lagos State.

Meanwhile, no fewer than one hundred fifty one houses were flooded while many residents of the Command area in Alimosho  local government area of Lagos State were on Tuesday morning trapped following a heavy rainfall that overran the bridge in the area.

Emergency responders were quickly on Tuesday morning deployed to the flooded community to rescue the trapped residents.

The South West coordinator of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, however, stated that no life was lost in the Tuesday downpour.

Farinloye earlier said, “The residents of Command Area are urged to take alternative routes by avoiding Command and the nearby areas as floods have overran the bridge.” 

The emergency agency boss added that “NEMA, Fire Service and Police are working to get trapped people out of the area presently.” 

Farinloye in a short statement, however, stated that “In view of today’s excessive rainfall and the Sunday’s similar event, Nigerians have been urged to notice the very strong signal of what may unfold upon the  On-set of 2024 rainfall.

“It is important to imbibe the culture of disaster risk reduction strategies in all spheres of our societal endeavours.

“We must begin adhering to safety measures against flood disasters. Thanks be to God that no lives were lost and no one injured.

“As at the moment, the continuous disruption of normal lives of the people is still ongoing.

“However, preliminary assessment in some communities affected by the rainfall have shown that @Oke Ishagun about 23 houses have been evacuated, @Isale Aboru 35 houses are affected, @Ikola Community 29 houses affected @Olubodun Majiyagbe – Ajayi 15 houses affected, Makinde Street 12 houses impacted, Olokowo Street 16 houses affected and Adeola Street 21 houses affected.” 

According to agency boss, “NEMA is working with appropriate State MDAs in amelioration of observations and findings from today 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, also appealed to Nigerians to start clearing their drainages of dirt and desilt them.

“Community Development Associations should live up to their responsibility in coordinating the activities of neighbourhoods toward safer environments.

“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 save the society,” NEMA advised.

 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 step towards making our environment safer with the difficult actions that will ensure safety of lives and property of Nigerians in the state.