Lagos State government, on Monday, issued a fresh update to all waterfront residents of highbrow Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island and coastal areas of Epe and Badagry to be wary of backflow due to the high tide in the Lagos Lagoon.
A statement by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, explained that the latest advisory had become necessary due to the high tide of the Lagos Lagoon.
Bello stressed that the high tide of the Lagoon has made it difficult for storm run-off from the various channels to discharge effectively into the lagoon which may cause a stagnation into the streets and major roads until the level of the lagoon subsides to allow for a discharge of the channels.
He described the trending video of the water level under the Third Mainland Bridge almost being filled to the brim as fake news, stating that the video only captures the Oworonshoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge which is normal because the area is a deck-on pile.
He cautioned people, especially individuals on social media, against posting panicky messages to residents in order to create unnecessary anxiety amongst the public.
Bello advised all the residents of the affected areas in Lagos Island and other coastal areas to monitor the incidental rains regularly, ensure situational awareness at all times, refrain from dumping refuse in the drains and clean their tertiary drains regularly
He reiterated that the earlier flood advisory issued by the State to the effect that all those on the banks of Ogun River, particularly residents of Ketu, Alapere, Agric, Owode Onirin, Ajegunle, Alagbole, Kara, Isheri Olowora, Araromi, Otun Orisha community, Agiliti, Maidan, Mile 12, Odo Ogun, Owode Elede, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Agboyi II and Agboyi III remain vigilant at this period.
The Commissioner stressed that the State has embarked on and is continuing massive drainage clearance and the construction of new channels in addition to continuous deployment of the quick response Emergency Flood Abatement Gang to free up manholes and blackspots to ensure the optimum capacity of the drains to contain run-offs.
