Residents of Surulere and its environs in Lagos on Friday urged the state government to open up the blocked drainage channels in the area, with the return of rainfall.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a heavy downpour, which started a little after midnight, resulted in flooded roads and premises in parts of the area, causing hardship to affected residents.
Mrs Fatima Nnodu, a resident of Masha in Surulere Local Government Area of the state, told NAN that her home was flooded during the rain.
Nnodu lamented that she woke up in the middle of the night to find her home flooded during the downpour.
“I woke up in the middle of the night during the rainfall to discover that my house was already flooded, we all did not sleep.
“We had to keep awake till 3.00 a.m. when the rain subsided.
“ We beg those in authority, especially the Surulere Local Council, to embark on clearing and evacuation of silt from the drains.
“The drainage system is so poor in Surulere,” she said.
Mr Frank Eti, a resident of Lawanson in Ikate/Itire Local Council Development Area also said that his residence was affected by the flood, emanating from the midnight rainfall.
He said his neighbours were awake to watch over their properties while the rain lasted.
“The rainy season has started, and there are predictions that this year’s rain may be more.
“We appeal to the state government to clear the drains; we have not had it this bad.
“The flood was much; we could not sleep, to avoid our properties being swept away by the flood.
“We know our habits have also contributed to the menace; but we appeal to the government to start clearing the drains.
“Individually, we may not do it better,’’ Eti said.
An electrician, who simply identified himself as Odinaka, said his shop on Anjorin Street, Lawanson, was affected by the rain.
Odinaka, who resides in Ijeshatedo area of Itire/Ikate LCDA, said he had to device a means of evacuating the water from his shop after the downpour.
“The rain was also heavy in Ijesha where I stay and everywhere was flooded.
“As you can see, I am trying to get the flood out of the shop because it has affected some of my work tools and other appliances.
“Please, let the relevant authorities that we voted for, save us from the flood,” he said.
A check by the NAN correspondent indicated that the drainage channel on Akerele/Shitta, including the canal situated not far from the road, was filled with debris, causing slow movement of water.
The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, while reviewing activities of the ministry in the last two years on April 18, had assured residents that under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), primary, secondary and tertiary drains would be maintained all-year-round.
He said that this would be done to remove refuse, vegetal growth and silt from drains to allow free flow of storm water.
According to him, such action will be taken on zonal arrangement across the state.
NAN reports that NIMET, in its annual Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) for 2017 in Abuja, had said Nigeria would witness a year characterised by very heavy downpour.
According to the prediction, the rain may, however, not last very long, while a dry season that starts about October in most parts of the country, should also be expected this year.
“There will be an early cessation of rain in Nigeria this year, resulting in shorter than normal length of growing season for farmers,’’ the former NIMET Director-General, Dr Anthony Anuforom, said in the report.
