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  • Flooding, illegal structures, building collapses and the controversy of Lagos demolitions

    Flooding, illegal structures, building collapses and the controversy of Lagos demolitions

    • Our actions for public good – Lagos Govt
    • Obi displaying hypocrisy – Omokri

    In recent years, Lagos State has faced persistent threats from flooding and building collapses, causing widespread devastation, property loss, and fatalities. To address these issues, the state government has implemented several long-term measures, such as dredging canals and demolishing structures built on drainage systems. Although these actions have met with objections from some residents, property owners, and stakeholders, but the state maintains that they are necessary for the greater good of the people of Lagos. IBRAHIM ADAM reports.

    Since 2023, the Lagos State government has intensified efforts to clear illegal structures encroaching on waterways. These demolitions aimed at reducing flooding risks, improving water flow, and protecting lives and property. However, the process has faced resistance from affected residents and property owners, who cite inadequate compensation and a lack of alternative housing solutions.

    Areas like Marina, Lekki, Agege, Victoria Island, Oshodi, Amuwo Odofin, Ilupeju, Ogudu, Maryland, Gbagada have been affected in Lagos, extending as far as Magboro, Mowe, and Ibafo in Ogun State. Consequently, residents and property owners have expressed regret over losing properties valued at billions of naira.

    Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, had warned that 148 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 31 states are at high risk of flooding this year during the official unveiling of the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) in Abuja, emphasising the importance of proactive measures and community engagement to minimise possible damage.

    The identified states include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe.

    Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, highlighted the critical role of the partnership with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in enhancing the nation’s disaster preparedness.

    This collaboration, he explained as essential in addressing the increasing frequency and severity of flooding incidents across the country. Anosike noted that this partnership has significantly improved efforts to mitigate flooding impacts through early warning systems.

    Early rain disaster

    According to Ibrahim Farinloye, the Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the early morning flood of Tuesday, February 20 (2024) in the Command/Ipaja area of Lagos, affected approximately 151 houses. Preliminary assessments showed that residents were evacuated from 23 houses in Oke Ishagun, 35 houses in Isale Aboru, 29 in the Ikola community and 15 in Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi. Additionally, 12 houses on Makinde Street, 16 on Olokowo Street, and 21 on Adeola Street were impacted.

    Farinloye indicated that the excessive downpour was a strong indicator of the rainfall expected in 2024.

    He explained that heavy rains between May 1 and 15, 2023, displaced about 436 families in Lagos State. This period also saw around 228 houses either partially or completely destroyed, and 13 electricity poles affected.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed that the government issued demolition orders to residents of the impacted areas, including Mende Villa Estate, which received two notices in 2021 and 2023. He insisted the demolition of buildings was legal.

    While inspecting the drainage and canals at Obalende, Dodan Barracks, Oniru, and Lekki Phase II, Wahab said: “There are man-made challenges everywhere. We have to check the canal path and the water path for the waste water. Developers have built to block water paths and water will always find its level,”

    At Dodan Barracks, Wahab said there were ongoing discussions with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) on how to resolve the challenges with their drainage channels.

    “We have served them notices that will last for seven days. We have to carry out demolition to create and open up the path for the water to enter the primary channel created by the state government.”

    At Obalende, the commissioner said on-the-spot inspection showed that everywhere under the bridge had been converted to ‘motor parks’.

    “People have forgotten that the environment is the master of man. We have this petition for the past few weeks that people are building on the canal. So we just came to verify and what we saw is not encouraging at all. From the beginning down to the other end of it, they have blocked part of the canal. So, virtually all the houses on this side of the state are always flooded.”

    The commissioner’s statement followed claims made by a property developer in Mende Villa that sufficient notice was not provided before the start of the demolition exercise.

    Wahab stated that his predecessor, Tunji Bello, issued violation notices in 2021 to properties encroaching on the setback of the System One drainage channel in Mende Villa, Maryland. He added that the latest notifications were sent to the developers in November 2023.

    The commissioner queried: “If there were no notices, how come the Developer has been engaging us with documents and correspondences for the past month?”

    He also highlighted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s generosity in redistributing the right-of-way more equitably, allocating it 60/40 (60% to Mende and 40% to Ogudu) instead of the original 140 meters exclusively on the Mende side.

    “I went there myself. If I was mischievous, I wouldn’t be there with them. I would have given the order from the office but I said no, I owe them a duty to explain to them that even the governor had approved that we reduced the width from 140 to 100.”

    He advised those who believe their rights have been violated to seek redress in the courts.

    “Are one or two persons hurt? I’ll tell you maybe yes, maybe no. But I can tell you we served them notices since 2021 and the honourable member representing them is aware of it. We’ve had meetings upon meetings but the rains have started and the government needs to do what they have to do,”

    Renewal of urban efforts

    The city of Lagos is known for its rapid urbanisation and population growth. With this growth comes the need for more infrastructure and housing, leading to the construction of numerous buildings. However, due to poor planning and lack of regulation, many of these buildings are constructed without proper permits or adherence to building codes. Consequently, the city has witnessed an increase in the number of collapsed buildings, posing a significant threat to the safety and well-being of Lagosians and necessitating the need for the demolition of these structures.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Belarus sign five-year action plan on agriculture, food security

    The demolition of these buildings, particularly the dilapidated ones, has been a key focus of the government’s urban renewal initiatives. These structures, frequently abandoned or inadequately maintained, present substantial safety risks to both occupants and surrounding communities.

    According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), between January 1 and November 30, 2023, Lagos recorded 23 building collapses. The Building Collapse Prevention Guild, in a report recently, revealed that 553 buildings collapsed in Nigeria between 1974 and April 2023, with Lagos State accounting for about 326 in the last 49 years. The Lagos figure represents about 59.05 percent of the 553 recorded cases.

    The Guild also recorded that there were at least 62 crumbles in 2022, resulting in 84 deaths and injuring 113 persons, with Lagos recording the highest – 20 cases. Lagos was trailed by Kano and Anambra states with five cases each, while Delta and Jigawa recorded four each.

    However, the statistics from the LASEMA on building collapse in Lagos in 2022 put the cases of building crumbling in 2022 at more than double the figure presented by the Guild – 46.

    Expressing concern, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu accused real estate practitioners of complicity in the development, stating that they do not build according to the property laws of the state.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Visland Engineering Limited and former Vice Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Victoria Island Branch, Christian Okwori, agreed that lessons were not taken from the past incidents of building collapse, especially that of the 21-story building at Gerald Road, Ikoyi on November 1, 2021. At least 44 people died in that unfortunate incident, including the developer Femi Osibona.

    “In all honesty, no lesson has been learned; that is why we keep repeating the evil cycle of setting up committees all the time and shoving suggested measures aside. As I stated at the last stakeholders’ meeting in Ikoyi, building collapses in Lagos will be a recurrent decimal if we keep ignoring already proffered solutions.”

    Some of the buildings that crumbled in 2023 included the two incidents in January – the one-storey building in Ikeja and an abandoned two-story building on Olokodana Street, Okokomaiko.

    In August 2023, some construction workers escaped death when the two-story building they were working on in Ikeja collapsed. In September 2023, at least two persons were hospitalised while others escaped with minor injuries when a building comprising over 500 rooms at Oduntan Street, Kosofe Local Council collapsed. The collapse was attributed to a downpour.

    Similarly, in November 2023, a woman said to be in her 80s, died during a partial collapse of a two-storey building along Borno Way, near Oyingbo. There was also another incident in November, following the collapse of a three-storey building at Ikpoh Street, Surulere.

    80% of buildings in Lekki have no government approval

    Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in Lagos, Oluyinka Olumide, disclosed that 80 percent of the buildings in the Ibeju Lekki-Epe corridor do not have official approval.

    Olumide explained that despite the stringent procedures involved in obtaining government approval, property developers and owners continue to evade due process.

    “My team and I were in the Ibeju Lekki and Epe axis and you would agree that anybody passing through that corridor would see a lot of estates marked. We went there, and I can tell you that from what we saw, over 80 percent of them do not have approval. The procedure to get approval is first to get the planning information as to what those areas have been zoned for. In this case, what we have is agricultural land, and people now go to their families to buy agricultural land.

    “Of course, those lands would be sold because those families do not know the use such land would be put to. The next thing to do is the fence permit. If you missed the earlier information on not knowing the area zoning, at the point of getting the fence permit, you would be able to detect what the area is zoned for. After that, the layout permits a large expanse of land. So, you can see all these layers. But people still go ahead to start advertising.

    “Some have even gone to the extent of displaying the sizes they want to sell. Imagine someone in the diaspora who wants to send money without any knowledge. Then, no approval is eventually gotten. Even if they pass the assignment and the survey to them, we would not grant the individual permit, because that area is not zoned for that purpose.”

    UN warning and World Bank report

    The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs published a climate and mobility case study on Lagos in January, revealing that if nothing is done, the metropolis may sink by 2050.

    The survey found that much of the coastal city was less than 6 meters above sea level: “Lagos and the Niger Delta region are particularly low, with an easily flooded network of estuaries, rivers, creeks, and streams.”

    The UN report noted that rising sea levels and ocean surges were understood to be the most pressing climate-related risks to the state but that rain-induced flooding and salt water intrusion occur more frequently, especially in communities adjacent to the coast and lagoons.

    “Although the number of rainy days has decreased, the overall intensity of rainfall has increased, adding pressure on drainage systems.”

    A World Bank research in 2020 showed that flood damage in Lagos State costs $3.992 billion per year, accounting for 4.1 percent of the state’s GDP and 10% nationally.

    The research, published in Nature Communications journal, shows that 300 million people worldwide currently live in areas that become flooded at least once a year, and that half of such places would be below the high tide line by mid-century.

    NCF red alert and LERSA react

    The Director-General of the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), Joseph Onoja, warned that if measures are not quickly put in place, the Atlantic Ocean will soon affect the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

    Onoja gave the warning at a meeting on ocean encroachment between Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association which was attended by the Senator representing the Lagos Central Senatorial District, Wasiu Eshinlokun, and the Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Authority.

    Onoja explained that over 130 meters of land had been encroached upon by the Atlantic Ocean in four years, and in 2024, a projection of another 50 meters would be gone if no immediate intervention was made.

    Concerned by the situation, Senator Eshinlokun assured that long-term solution to the areas affected by the ocean surge would be his priority. He also asked the NCF and the LERSA Infrastructure Committee to come up with solutions for review and possible implementation.

    LERSA President, Sulyman Bello, said no one would be happy seeing their property demolished but that the association would not stand for illegality.

    He advised residents and prospective ones to use the check-in platforms in the state to be sure their property had all the approvals before buying any property in the area or any part of the state.

    “LERSA will never stand for illegal demolition of property but we are also aware that this environment is suffering from a lot of flooding and a lot of other environmental challenges on account of abuse of water channels, canals, and contravention of water guidelines.

    “We also know there are people who would have genuine cases of having got approval from the government and such should be entitled to compensation. However, those who built on canals and waterways have no case. The Lagos State government has to do what it has to do. We all have been begging the government not to turn its eyes away from the Lekki area because of the many challenges that we are facing.

    Ethnicity, religion not considered, says Sanwo-Olu

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has criticised the use of ethnicity and religion in the recent demolition of buildings in the state.

    Sanwo-Olu said only buildings that contravene the laws of the state are demolished.

    “We only remove the structures of those that contravened the State’s building and development laws. We don’t consider the ethnic or religious background of those defaulting our laws. We cannot compromise the laws; we need to rescue the city.”

    Demolition not targeted at any group

    Oluyinka Olumide refuted claims that the demolitions are aimed at South-Easterners in the state, asserting that the structures in question were hastily erected during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020.

    “Anybody can own a building in Lagos so long as you go along with the laid-down rules. It’s unfortunate that maybe what we have of recently happens to concern those from certain parts of the country.

    Olumide challenged the owners of the demolished structures to provide their construction approvals.

    “Those buildings causing this uproar are buildings rushed during the COVID period when activities of enforcement officers were at the low ebb because of restriction of movement and you could see that when those buildings were demolished, nobody has come forward to say they were demolished under approval.”

    Peter Obi displaying hypocrisy – Reno Omokri

    A former presidential spokesman, Reno Omokri, has said former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi is displaying hypocrisy over the demolition of illegal buildings in Lagos State.

    Obi had condemned the demolition of buildings in Lagos and other parts of the country, saying the government should know that there is hardship in the country and should carry out enforcement with a human face.

    “Why is Peter Obi condemning the demolition of illegal properties in Lagos when he has not condemned the burning of Chinedu and Omama in his hometown of Onitsha, like he condemned the burning of Deborah Samuels on May 12, 2022?

    “He says the demolition exercise by the Lagos State Government is ill-timed, yet he did not say anything when the Anambra State Government demolished illegal properties this year.

    “Peter Obi claims he is speaking for “the poor in our midst. Now, this is very confusing. Because it was the houses of the poor that were demolished in Anambra and he did not speak. But, the homes being demolished in Lagos are primarily owned by multimillionaires.

    “One of them even gave an interview and boasted that he spent ₦300 million on his mansion. Why did Peter not speak for the poor when Anambra was demolishing properties? Is Peter Obi now saying crime is not okay in Anambra but okay in Lagos?”

  • Removing structures on drainage setback will address flooding’

    Removing structures on drainage setback will address flooding’

    • Commissioner monitors enforcement of demolition

    The ongoing removal of contravening structures on the System I drainage channel midstream (Odo Iya Alaro) Ojota and Ogudu, Lagos State, will address major flooding issues on the mainland.

    Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab stated this when he led an inspection tour to the areas to monitor demolition enforcement and ascertain the level of compliance by property owners.

    According to the commissioner, System I drainage was established in 1974, and it is the biggest and widest Primary Channel that defloods major parts of the mainland cutting across Ogudu, Ojota, Ifako, Gbagada, and Maryland. He added that the bridge coming from Odo Iya Aloro will also cut across these areas.

    Wahab stressed that the government had been having discussions with property owners/residents since 2021, while the conversation ended in November 2023. Notices were also served to owners of buildings lying within 140 metres of System I since 2021.

    He said: “So we have gone round system I platform – Odo Iya Alaro, Arowojobe, Mende, Sholuyi axis to reassess ongoing enforcement of the right of way for System I which was established in 1974, meaning it predates most houses in this corridor. The system has been maintained and sustained by the government because it is very critical to deflooding of the mainland as a whole.

    “But, unfortunately, people have encroached on its alignment and right of way. While conversations were on, people went back to encroach on the right of way and alignments. Since 2021, we have been engaging the homeowners and residents where go, notifying them of impending enforcement without which we cannot abate flooding. Unfortunately, most of them do not also have building approvals.

    “So we have explained why we are doing this. We told them its 140m from the embankment, and this means that we are pushing forward with the right of way for the drainage. Buildings that contravene this are already being pulled down and the demolition will continue.”

    Read Also: Removal of structures on drainage setback will address flooding, says Lagos govt

    Wahab admonished residents to search with relevant MDAs before buying land or building, particularly to get all necessary approvals and documentation. He also said it was important to respect the State Drainage Master Plan by getting drainage clearance from the ministry.

    The team also visited Okota, Faseun Bridge System 6E, off Ago Palace Way, as the ministry will start maintenance dredging of the system to curb flooding.

    The Special Adviser on Environment, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the government is determined to find a realistic solution to the issue of flash flooding in the state.

    According to him, the world has changed and everyone must put in place various measures to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming and other environmental issues confronting human existence.

    The commissioner was also accompanied on the inspection by Permanent Secretaries Gaji Omobolaji (Environmental Services), Mahmood Adegbite (Drainage Services); heads of agencies in the Environment family, among others.

  • ‘Removing structures on drainage setback will address flooding’

    ‘Removing structures on drainage setback will address flooding’

    The ongoing removal of contravening structures on the System I drainage channel midstream (Odo Iya Alaro) Ojota and Ogudu in Lagos State, will address major flooding issues in the mainland.

    Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab said this yesterday when he led an inspection tour to the areas to monitor demolition enforcement and ascertain the level of compliance by property owners.

    He said System I drainage was established in 1974, and it is the biggest and widest Primary Channel that defloods major parts of the mainland, cutting across Ogudu, Ojota, Ifako, Gbagada and Maryland.

    The commissioner added that the bridge coming from Odo Iya Aloro would also cut across these areas.

    Wahab stressed that the government had been having discussions with property owners/residents since 2021, while the conversation ended in November 2023.

    Read Also: Removal of structures on drainage setback will address flooding, says Lagos govt

    “Notices were also served to owners of buildings lying within 140 metres of System I since 2021.”

    He said: “So we have gone round System I platform – Odo Iya Alaro, Arowojobe, Mende, Sholuyi axis to reassess ongoing enforcement of the right of way for System I, which was established in 1974, meaning it predates most houses in this corridor. “The system has been maintained and sustained by the government because it is very critical to deflooding of the mainland as a whole.

    “But, unfortunately, people have encroached on its alignment and right of way. While conversations were on, people went back to encroach on the right of way and alignments. Since 2021, we have been engaging homeowners and residents where I go, notifying them of impending enforcement without which we cannot abate flooding. “Unfortunately, most of them do not also have building approvals.”

  • Removal of structures on drainage setback will address flooding, says Lagos govt

    Removal of structures on drainage setback will address flooding, says Lagos govt

    • …as commissioner monitors enforcement of demolition

    The ongoing removal of contravening structures on the System 1 drainage channel midstream (Odo Iya Alaro) Ojota and Ogudu, Lagos State, will address major flooding issues on the mainland.

    The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated this when he led an inspection tour to the areas to monitor demolition enforcement and ascertain the level of compliance by property owners.

    According to the commissioner, System 1 drainage was established in 1974, and it is the biggest and widest primary channel that de-floods major parts of the mainland cutting across Ogudu, Ojota, Ifako, Gbagada, and Maryland. He added that the bridge coming from Odo Iya Aloro will also cut across these areas.

    Wahab stressed that the government had been having discussions with property owners/residents since 2021, while the conversation ended in November 2023. Notices were also served to owners of buildings lying within 140 metres of System I since 2021.

    He said: “So we have gone round system 1 platform – Odo Iya Alaro, Arowojobe, Mende, Sholuyi axis to reassess ongoing enforcement of the right of way for System I which was established in 1974, meaning it predates most houses in this corridor. The system has been maintained and sustained by the government because it is very critical to the de-flooding of the mainland as a whole.

    Read Also: Flooding: Oyo rallies community action to prevent disaster

    “But, unfortunately, people have encroached on its alignment and right of way. While conversations were on, people went back to encroach on the right of way and alignments. Since 2021, we have been engaging the homeowners and residents where go, notifying them of impending enforcement without which we cannot abate flooding. Unfortunately, most of them do not also have building approvals.

    “So we have explained why we are doing this. We told them it is 140m from the embankment, and this means that we are pushing forward with the right of way for the drainage. Buildings that contravene this are already being pulled down and the demolition will continue.”

    Wahab admonished residents to search with relevant MDAs before buying land or building, particularly to get all necessary approvals and documentation. He also said it was important to respect the State Drainage Master Plan by getting drainage clearance from the ministry.

    The team also visited Okota, Faseun Bridge System 6E, off Ago Palace Way, as the ministry will start maintenance dredging of the system to curb flooding.

    The Special Adviser on Environment, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the government is determined to find a realistic solution to the issue of flash flooding in the state.

    According to him, the world has changed and everyone must put in place various measures to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming and other environmental issues confronting human existence.

    The commissioner was also accompanied on the inspection by Permanent Secretaries Gaji Omobolaji (Environmental Services), Mahmood Adegbite (Drainage Services); heads of agencies in the Environment family, among others.

  • Katsina announces plans to tackle flooding, natural disasters

    Katsina announces plans to tackle flooding, natural disasters

    Katsina Commissioner for Environment Alhaji Musa Adamu Funtua has declared the readiness of the State to manage approaching natural disasters and flooding that may be occasioned by the impending rainy season

    The Commissioner, who gave the above assurances during an exclusive chat with The Nation in his office in Katsina, further assured that ongoing construction works designed to tackle natural disasters and environmental challenges were nearing competition while some are waiting commissioning by the Governor of the state

    He said: ’’The 10km kofa Sauri /Sinkafi ecological drainages, as well as the Katsina gigantic drainage project otherwise called ACCRESAL, the Katsina /Jibia drainage N26b projects were all nearing completion.

    Read Also: Flooding: Reps seek succour for victims in Lagos communities

    ‘’What the State Government is doing is to identify the problem, consider security reports, engage each local governments on flooding contracts supervision and there were 13 new sites with 3 of such sites already completed.”

    While announcing the State is rearing to go on environmental management and control, he announced that the government is not encountering financial constraints except slow downs caused by due process

     Funtua also announced the establishment of the department of new climate change to handle several climate change challenges and climate policies, including 16000 hectares for tree planting support for farmers, community livelihood wash work and dry season farming engagements and so on

    He said the decision by the State Government to establish the climate change department arose from the memorandum of understanding signed in Dubai under global challenges state policy multiple approach

  • Smuggling, flooding responsible for food scarcity, says Agric minister

    Smuggling, flooding responsible for food scarcity, says Agric minister

    The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has linked the present food scarcity in the nation and the increasing cost of food to the smuggling of food across Nigerian borders and the Naira redesign policy.

    He said the policy resulted in smallholder farmers lacking the necessary funds to cultivate their farms during the 2022/2023 period.

    The minister, who spoke while appearing in the Sectoral debate organised by the House of Representatives, also identified flooding which destroyed farmland across the country as another impediment to food security in the country.

    He said small-scale farmers had no access to cash because of the naira redesign policy and currency swap especially to pay for their harvest towards the end of 2022 as well as pay for cultivation during the commencement of the wet season.

    Read Also; BREAKING: Binance leaves Nigeria, suspends all naira services

    While acknowledging the impact of insecurity of the food crisis in the country, the minister said the COVID-19 incidents had an impact on food production across the globe, while the rise in flooding in 2021 and 2022 caused serious damage to farmland and therefore hurt food production.

    He said further that as a result of the non-availability of cash, preparation for the 2023 farming season was not enough to produce the much-needed food to feed Nigerians.

    He said the president has directed the Ministry and all those responsible to do everything possible to mitigate the suffering of Nigerians by ensuring enough grains are made available to the people.

    He also said that currently, about 5000 tractors are working in Nigeria and the country should have 72,000 functional tractors to meet the growing needs of Nigerians.

    He however said that the Ministry has signed a MoU with a manufacturer to supply 2000 tractors annually for the next five years.

  • President concerned about flooding situation in Ogun – Betta Edu

    President concerned about flooding situation in Ogun – Betta Edu

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is concerned about the flooding and  situation that have affected parts of Ogun State and is ready to support the victims with immediate relief materials while working out sustainable solution to the perennial problem.

    Dr. Edu said she had seen videos and pictures depicting the flooded places and the plights of the affected people, assuring that she would visit the area today to identify with them and express the support of President Tinubu and his administration.

    The Minister made this known on Friday night while speaking with newsmen shortly after a meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun in his office at Okemosan, Abeokuta – the state capital.

    Read Also: Education is strongest tool to fight poverty – Betta Edu

    She noted that aside the issue of the flood, she was in the state in connection to the Ogun  Social Register, to urge the state government to kick – start the process of updating, vetting and verification of the names to pave way to the commencement of payment of the N25,000 intervention fund to vulnerable households/beneficiaries as was the case in states where the scheme had commenced.

    Dr Edu added that she would visit the adire making centres in Itoku Abeokuta on Saturday to ascertain the processes involved and how the people could be supported by President Tinubu – led administration to take the adire making businesses to the next level.

  • How trees save life and property from flooding

    How trees save life and property from flooding

    Sir :Climate change is undeniably one of the greatest challenges of our time, leading to more frequent and severe weather events, including flooding. As global temperatures rise, so do sea levels and the risk of extreme rainfall. In the face of this growing threat, it’s essential to recognize the vital role that trees play in mitigating the impact of flooding on human lives. Often overshadowed by high-tech solutions and massive flood control infrastructure, trees act as unsung heroes in our battle against climate change.

    One of the most direct ways trees protect against flooding is by serving as natural barriers. The roots of trees help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, reducing the chances of landslides and flash floods. Trees absorb excess water from the soil, slowing down the flow of water during heavy rainfall, which is particularly crucial in urban areas where concrete and asphalt dominate. Their canopies also intercept rain, reducing surface runoff. All of these actions contribute to decreased flood risks.

    The ability of trees to absorb water is nothing short of remarkable. A mature tree can absorb several hundred gallons of water during a heavy rainstorm, preventing this water from flowing into streets, rivers, and homes. By slowing the movement of water, trees give storm water management systems more time to cope with excessive runoff. This natural process helps avoid flash floods and reduces the burden on drainage infrastructure, ultimately sparing human lives and property from harm.

    Trees play an essential role in regulating the flow of rivers and streams. By controlling the rate at which water is released into water bodies, they help prevent riverbanks from bursting and flooding adjacent areas. Additionally, the presence of trees along riverbanks and watersheds can reduce the severity of downstream flooding by trapping and slowing the progression of floodwaters. This regulation of river flow is especially critical in densely populated regions prone to seasonal flooding.

    Healthy soil is crucial for water infiltration and retention. Trees, through their root systems, promote soil health and stability. Their roots help create channels in the soil that allow water to penetrate deeper, reducing surface runoff. The organic matter shed by trees, such as fallen leaves and branches, enriches the soil, enhancing its ability to absorb and retain water. This improved soil health, in turn, mitigates the risk of flash flooding and minimizes the disruption to communities.

    Read Also: Rice farmers worried over predicted flooding, pest attacks

    Trees contribute to a healthier environment, which indirectly helps in flood mitigation. Improved air quality, thanks to the oxygen released by trees, reduces the prevalence of respiratory illnesses in communities. A healthy population is better equipped to cope with and respond to the effects of flooding. Moreover, cleaner air can reduce the strain on healthcare systems during and after flood events, preserving valuable resources and human lives.

    It’s important to note that trees also combat climate change itself. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, one of the key greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. As they grow, trees lock away carbon in their biomass and the soil. By reducing carbon emissions, trees help mitigate climate change, which, in turn, reduces the intensity of rainfall and the risk of more frequent and severe flooding.

     The benefits of trees extend beyond their environmental functions. Trees in urban areas improve the overall quality of life for residents. The presence of trees can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. In the aftermath of flooding events, communities with abundant green spaces and tree cover are better equipped to cope with the emotional toll and trauma. Thus, trees indirectly save lives by promoting mental well-being.

    It is imperative that we recognize and celebrate these unsung heroes in our battle against climate change and its associated risks. Protecting and preserving our forests and urban green spaces is not just an environmental concern but a matter of public health and safety. As we continue to confront the challenges of a changing climate, let us remember that the trees standing tall around us are not just symbols of nature’s beauty but also guardians of our well-being and survival.

    • Samuel Jekeli, Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.
  • Brace for flooding, NEMA warns Rivers, C/River, Anambra, 10 others states

    Brace for flooding, NEMA warns Rivers, C/River, Anambra, 10 others states

    Thirteen states have been put on the red alert for imminent flooding.

    The states on the banks of River Benue are: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa.

    The alert was issued by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) following a notification from the Foreign Affairs Ministry that Cameroon plans to open the Lagdo Dam.

    Besides the impending flooding, the agency warned that  Kainji, Shiroro and Jebba dams could overflow between now and the end of October.

    The situation, according to NEMA may be worsened owing to the release of water from the Cameroonian dam.

    In the letter signed by Ambassador Umar Salisu, the Director, African Affairs, the ministry urged the necessary agency to step up efforts to mitigate damages.

    The envoy also urged the agency to sensitization of the areas that may be impacted by the opening of the Dam.

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    The statement reads: “I have the honour to inform that the ministry is in receipt of a note verbale from the High Commission of Republic of Cameroon informing that Cameroonian officials have resolved to open the flood gate of Lagdo Dam in the Benue River in days ahead due to heavy rainfall around the dam catchment area in the Northern Cameroon.

    “According to the note, it is pertinent to note that when the release of water becomes necessary, the authorities of Lagdo Dams will be releasing only modulated variable small amount of water at a time in order to mitigate and avoid damages that the release may cause along River Benue Basin in both Cameroon and Nigeria.

    “In view of the above, it would be appreciated if the esteemed agency takes all the necessary proactive steps and actions that will mitigate the damage as well as sensitive the people living in such areas for vigilance and all necessary precautions.”

  • Residents blame FCTA, developer for flooding, losses, others

    Some property owners in Efab Estate, Lokogoma District of Abuja, have blamed the officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for allegedly conniving with the developer of the estate to fraudulently sell houses to them.

    The estate recently came to limelight after a series of flooding led to the destruction of houses and valuables, including the death of a teenager.

    The devastation was so bad that some affected property owners resorted to squatting with relatives, others vacated the estate and insisted on compensation from the FCTA and the developer.

    The Nation learnt that the FCTA has asked residents of Lokogoma District whose buildings are along waterways to vacate the areas, saying the buildings were the cause of perennial flooding in the area.

    The administration said most of the buildings were built without approval and that the owners were allocated where to build on by the FCTA, but that they left the original allocations and built on waterways.

    In a twist, some of those affected by the flooding and those that may eventually lose their property to demolition by the development control department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), criticised the FCT authorities for doing nothing when the houses were being built by the developer.

    The victims said they were not comfortable with the plan by the FCTA to demolish the structures before compensating them.

    The Nation reports that in the Efab Estate, most of the houses near the major waterway get flooded whenever it rains. At least three major floods occurred between June 6, 26 and July 25, 2019, which led to  the destruction of property worth millions of naira and the death of a 17-year-old boy.

    The Nation observed a narrow stream within the estate that is not properly channeled and usually fills up whenever it rains thereby flooding houses along the waterway and environs.

    One of the affected residents, who did not want his name in print said he  moved into his apartment in the estate in 2010, but that in August, 2011, the first major flood occurred in the area.

    He said: “It flooded my house and fell the fence and did a lot of damage. Thank God, a friend who lived in my boys’ quarters travelled just a day earlier because the major debris fell directly on his bed in the early hours of the morning.”

    Since then, he said, the estate always witnessed flooding two to three times yearly. He recalled how the Residents Association entered into what he called a gentleman’s agreement with the promoter of  the estate, Chief Fabian Nwora, with part of the agreement stating  that they would  either relocate or compensate the residents even if it is partial,  after  advising him on the need  to  build a canal to check flooding in the expanse estate. He regretted that it wasn’t done, but what the promoters of the estate did was to only temporarily excavate  sand out of the stream for about two years. He maintained that the developer did not execute the agreement it reached with the residents’ association.

    He revealed that after the June 26 incident, the residents’ association met with the developer and the FCTA with   the FCTA saying the owners did not have approval for the buildings.