Expdonaloaded News; Lagos alerts residents to looming flood

Lagos State Government has alerted residents in the coastal and low-line areas to the looming over-flooding of the areas due to the release of water from the Lagco Dam in Cameroun. The government, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Oluwatoyin Onisarotu, said the warning became necessary because of the outcome of the 2015 Flood Management Stakeholders roundtable meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja, where preparations were made for the forecast of the 2015 flood management strategies.
The permanent secretary hinted of the possible consequences of the release of water from the Dam in Cameroun and its attendant effect on the coastal waters and the wetlands. It was also disclosed at the Abuja meeting that the release of excess water from the Dam might cause flooding that will affect the Benue River Basin and States like Adamawa and the Niger-Delta region with flooding problems. Onisarotu therefore, advised that residents within the coastal and low- line areas, which are prone to flooding to ensure that all canals and drains are properly cleared to ensure free flow of water. Likewise,they should ensure discouragement of people from dumping waste and refuse into the canals and drainages that may cause havoc and flooding. He assured that the State Government would ensure that several flood mitigating measures are put in place.