For years, Peace Home Valley Estate and Unity Estate in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area endured relentless flooding, causing untold hardship and economic woes. But now, a beacon of hope shines as Lagos State has constructed a drainage channel, saving residents from the deluge and ushering in a new era of resilience and triumph, CHINAKA OKORO reports
Nestled within the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area are the serene Peace Home Valley Estate and Unity Estate. Yet, behind their tranquil facades lies a tale of relentless torment at the hands of flooding—a plight that has plagued these neighbourhoods for far too long. Since 2014, the officials of the two Community Development Associations (CDAs) representing these neighbourhoods have tirelessly pleaded with successive administrations in Lagos for relief.
Their cries echoed through the corridors of power, reaching the ears of the powers that be. Yet their pleas fell on deaf ears, according to the chairmen of Peace Home Valley Estate and Unity Estate Community Development Associations (CDAs), Sir Ikechukwu Ezeonyeka and Pastor Isaiah Awhansu, respectively. However, in 2019, a glimmer of hope emerged when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu heeded their calls. After years of neglect, the Lagos State Government finally awarded the contract for the construction of the Isheri-Oshun/Jakande Estate drainage system in 2021. Yet, the path to relief was fraught with obstacles. Despite the commencement of construction, the project faced delays due to the actions of contraveners – individuals who had illegally built houses along the drainage alignment. Their defiance led to legal battles that further impeded progress. However, in 2023, justice prevailed as the court dismissed the case, allowing construction to resume.
For the residents of Peace Home Valley Estate and Unity Estate, the significance of this drainage system cannot be overstated. Located in Oke-Afa under Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, these communities have long grappled with the destructive forces of flooding. The drainage channel, now under construction, serves as a beacon of hope, promising to divert the torrents of water that once ravaged their homes. As the construction progresses, the communities express their heartfelt gratitude to Sanwo-Olu and the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources for their unwavering commitment to their plight. Through their efforts, the once tormented neighbourhoods are now on the path to respite, as the canal construction brings renewed hope and a promise of a brighter, flood-free future.
“We are here to appreciate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (Drainage Office) that are responsible for the ongoing construction of the drainage channel. The community is very happy because it has been under serious flooding every year, and it happened that the subsequent year is worse than the previous ones. We are happy that the drainage channel has brought flooding in the area to an end.
“It should be on record that the demolition of illegal buildings carried out by the Lagos State Government during the construction of the canal was not done based on religious, ethnic or political considerations, but purely aimed at stopping and preventing the continued flooding of the area,” Ezeonyeka said.
The gravity of the flooding in the vicinity is evident in the community leader’s account, underscoring the relentless deluge that engulfs the area with each downpour. Prior to the canal’s construction, accessing the region would have been virtually impossible during such tumultuous weather conditions. “The situation is exacerbated by the convergence of waters from Ejigbo, Bucknor, NNPC, Oke-Afa, and surrounding areas, coursing through the newly constructed Isheri-Oshun dual carriageway before emptying into the Oke-Afa Primary Canal, eventually draining into the Lagoon,” he explained.
Moreover, he emphasised the perennial challenge of flooding in Lagos, attributing it to the state’s coastal geography. He lamented the absence of proactive measures to forestall flooding’s deleterious effects, urging governmental preemptive action rather than reactive responses. “People need to be aware of designated areas and refrain from encroaching or constructing on drainage channels,” he emphasised. “Prior research and verification are imperative before purchasing land to ascertain whether it lies within channel boundaries or is government property, thereby averting potential tribulations.” Despite the trials wrought by flooding, the community leader expressed relief that there were no human casualties throughout the years. “Residents now enjoy peace of mind,” he affirmed. “They can venture outdoors without anxiety about rainfall, reassured by the concerted efforts of the Lagos State Government.”
Socio-economic effects of flooding
The socio-economic repercussions of flooding in the region are manifold, as articulated by Ezeonyeka, underscoring the multifaceted impact on the community. “When rainfall occurs, it impedes residents from engaging in their daily livelihood activities. Furthermore, it hampers children’s access to education, disrupting school attendance,” he lamented. “Moreover, flooding hinders the progress of residential construction projects in the area, as inundation poses a threat to the structural integrity of buildings, often resulting in damage or destruction.”
He continued, “Additionally, flooding exacerbates the depreciation of property values and exacerbates tenant turnover rates, as individuals swiftly vacate premises affected by flooding. Nonetheless, we are grateful that there were no human or structural casualties throughout the duration of the flooding.” Weather forecasting experts echo these sentiments, emphasising that floods represent the most prevalent form of natural disasters, arising from water overflow due to heavy rainfall. The flooding of typically dry lands during floods can lead to widespread devastation, including loss of life and damage to personal property and critical public health infrastructure. Individuals residing in flood-prone areas or structures lacking flood-resistant features, coupled with inadequate warning systems and awareness of flooding risks, face heightened vulnerability to such calamities.
“Flooding can damage buildings and structures, including bridges, sewage systems, roadways and canals. Survivors can experience prolonged psychological effects such as distress, anxiety, pain, depression and social dysfunctions.”
Authorities emphasise that flooding not only inflicts significant damage to property, crops, and livestock but also triggers a cascade of adverse effects, including the disruption of infrastructure and communication networks, deterioration of health conditions due to waterborne illnesses, and profound impacts on livelihoods. The disruption of critical infrastructure, such as power plants, roads, and bridges, brings economic activities to a standstill, leading to widespread dislocation and the disruption of normal life. Moreover, the repercussions extend far beyond the duration of the flooding itself, amplifying the challenges faced by affected communities.
Furthermore, the loss of livelihoods due to flooding reverberates throughout business and commercial sectors, even in adjacent areas unaffected by flooding, amplifying the economic toll of such disasters. Additionally, flooding diminishes individuals’ purchasing power and impedes production capabilities, further exacerbating the socio-economic ramifications of these calamities. Damage to infrastructure, experts maintain, also causes long-term impacts such as disruptions to clean water and electricity, transport, communication, education and health care. “Loss of livelihoods, reduction in purchasing power and loss of land value in the flood plains lead to increased vulnerabilities of communities living in the area. The additional cost of rehabilitation, relocation of people and removal of property from flood-affected areas can divert the capital required for maintaining production.”
Similarly, flooding presents a significant impediment to economic growth and development. Experts caution that the substantial expenses incurred for relief and recovery efforts can have detrimental effects on investment in infrastructure and other developmental initiatives within affected areas, potentially crippling local economies. Recurrent flooding poses a particular risk, as it may dissuade both government and private sector entities from making long-term investments in the region. Moreover, the erosion of livelihoods, coupled with the migration of skilled labor and inflationary pressures, can exert further strain on the area’s economic trajectory. The loss of resources may drive up the costs of goods and services, impeding the implementation of development programs and stalling overall progress.
Ways to prevent flood
Climatologists have repeatedly underscored the importance of addressing human activities that contribute to flooding. To mitigate the catastrophic impacts of floods, they advocate for collaborative efforts between government and citizens to implement preventative measures. Key among these solutions is the need for comprehensive public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the dangers of flooding. Establishing effective warning systems is also paramount to providing residents with adequate time to safeguard themselves and their belongings. Furthermore, areas prone to flooding should prioritize the construction of elevated buildings that surpass flood levels, offering a layer of protection against inundation.
In addition to structural safeguards, the construction of robust dams using high-quality materials is essential for flood prevention. Cheap materials increase the risk of dam failure, underscoring the necessity for stringent construction standards and oversight by government authorities. Moreover, maintaining clean drainage systems is critical to ensuring the unimpeded flow of water, thereby reducing the likelihood of flooding in vulnerable areas.
