Residents of Ikoyi, Lekki, and Victoria Island in Lagos are on high alert due to flooding

The Lagos State Government has warned waterfront dwellers in affluent Ikoyi, Lekki, and Victoria Island as well as coastal regions of Epe and Badagry to be cautious of backflow because of the high tide in the Lagos Lagoon. Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tunji Bello issued the warning. Bello said that the lagoon high tide had made it difficult for storm runoff from the various channels to discharge into the lagoon properly. He added that this may have resulted in stagnation into the streets and major roads until the lagoon receded to allow a discharge of the channels. Lagos Island and other coastal communities impacted residents have been told to monitor the incidental rains regularly, ensure situational awareness at all times, refrain from dumping refuse into the drains and clean their tertiary drains regular Bello reiterated the earlier flood advisory issued by the state government to the effect that all those on the banks of Ogun River, especially 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, and Agboyi III, to remain vigilant at these periods. The commissioner also revealed that the state government had embarked on massive drainage clearing and the construction of new channels, besides continuous deployment of the quick response Emergency Flood Abatement Gang to free up manholes and black spots to ensure the optimum capacity of the drains to contain run offs.