…Environment Commissioner Urges Preparedness, highlights Socio-Economic Implications

The Lagos State Government announced on Tuesday that the State is expected to experience more than normal amount of rainfall during the year 2024 rainy season with a total of 1936.2mm predicted rainfall HC MOE & WR, Tokunbo Wahab stated this at a media briefing on the Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) and the  Socio- Economic Implications for Lagos State held at ALAUSA adding that the briefing  is to alert residents of the climate patterns and its socio-economic implications. He stressed that the average annual rainfall amount predicted for 2024 is 1936.2mm which is greater than the long-term average of 1721.48mm with the onset date expected to be the first week of April and ceasing in the first week of December. Ikeja  is expected to have an onset date of 4th April and cessation date of 4th December with a high annual amount of 1900mm rainfall.

“Badagry is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 1st April & cessation date of 5th December resulting in an annual amount of 1978mm while Ikorodu is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 4th April and cessation date of 4th December totaling  an annual amount of 1903mm”

He mentioned that Lagos Island is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 3rd April, cessation date of 4th December and an annual amount of 1936mm while Epe is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 2nd April, cessation date of 5th December and an annual amount of 1952mm.

According to him, below normal rainfall amounts are anticipated in the first half of the rainy season while normal to above normal rainfall amounts are expected in the second half of the rainy season.

He reiterated that the Ministry’s collaboration with NiMet annually on the Seasonal Climate Prediction has been valuable as a vital weather tool for farmers,  decision makers, operators of the various sectors and businesses that are likely to be impacted by d annual rainfall.

He said d state will downscale the Seasonal Climate Prediction to  stakeholders and emergency workers in the State adding that the State had deployed and maintained its  network of weather stations and river gauge stations to monitor the weather and river levels in the state.

“We want to assure you that our state will continue to reap the benefits of a careful and rigorous execution planning, as our flood control measures are stepped up to contain any imminent rainfall”

“The Ministry has embarked on an all-year-round drainage maintenance program for effective and efficient flood control, in addition to an efficient and sustainable solid waste management system” he explained.

He added that to effectively contain flooding in the state, the government is determined to maintain the synergy and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority (OORBDA).

He said the partnership has in years past ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches of the Ogun River saying the mutual relationship has been highly beneficial and will be sustain.

He added that the low-lying Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo and Ajegunle communities will be  closely monitored with respect to the likelihood of Ogun River flooding as well as all other river basins in the State.

He explained that it is expected that the high amounts of rainfall and other contributory factors may lead to flooding events in some parts of the State while leading to a  rise in Lagoon level.

He explained that anytime there is high tidal movement, it may “lock up” the discharge points of drainage channels and until such water recedes, there will be no discharge.

He said such occurrences can cause backflow resulting to flooding and as soon as the Lagoon recedes, all the generated storm water will be discharged and the roads will be free: “it  is only when storm water remains on the roads for hours that there should be reports of fooding”

“We will ramp up  sensitization for residents along flood plains of major rivers  such as Owode, Iwaya, Makoko, Badia, Ijora, Isaalu, Pota, Shibiri  to  be alert and ready to relocate to higher grounds when the need arises”