Flood: Lagos Residents count losses

Residents of several Lagos communities on Tuesday recounted losses caused by flooding after persistent rainfall submerged homes and roads, displaced families and disrupted businesses and schools. The affected areas include Ago Palace Way, Okota Road, Amuwo Odofin and Ilaje in Ajah, where floodwaters left many residents stranded and made movement difficult. Some residents who spoke […]

Residents of several Lagos communities on Tuesday recounted losses caused by flooding after persistent rainfall submerged homes and roads, displaced families and disrupted businesses and schools.

The affected areas include Ago Palace Way, Okota Road, Amuwo Odofin and Ilaje in Ajah, where floodwaters left many residents stranded and made movement difficult.

Some residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) described the situation as a recurring nightmare and urged the government to implement lasting flood-control measures.

Mrs Stella, a resident of Ago Palace Way, said Greenfield Estate remained one of the worst-hit communities whenever heavy rainfall occurred.

“Greenfield Estate is prone to flooding. In spite of being an expensive estate, it is always badly affected whenever heavy rain falls,” she said.

She said Community Road, Supersaver, Kilimanjaro and the Ago Bridge-Apple Junction corridor were also severely flooded.

According to her, many motorists now avoid the route because of rising floodwaters.

“The water was so high that buses struggled to pass. You could feel the waves pushing the buses,” she said.

Stella added that many homes had been inundated, forcing some residents to pump water from their houses while others elevated their belongings to prevent damage.

She said some families had already been displaced and warned that continued rainfall could worsen the situation.

In Amuwo Odofin, Miss Sarah Onyeachonam, a resident, said flooding had kept many residents indoors and prevented them from going to work.

“I’ve not been able to go to work since Monday. Everybody’s just indoors. Everywhere is flooded,” she said.

She said several roads had become impassable, while many homes, particularly those located behind the estate, were flooded.

According to her, the flooding had become a yearly occurrence during the rainy season.

“We are tired of watching our homes flood every year. This is no longer a seasonal challenge; it needs to be addressed,” she said.

Another resident, Chiazo, said she almost fell from a commercial motorcycle while taking her children to school because floodwaters concealed potholes along Community Road.

“We can’t even tell where the potholes are because the whole place is flooded. Community Road is like a pond,” she said.

She blamed blocked drainage channels and poor road conditions for the persistent flooding.

In Ilaje, Ajah, another resident, Blessing, said the heavy rainfall had submerged roads across the community.

“Everywhere is flooded because of the rain. The streets are under water,” she said.

She, however, noted that residents had become accustomed to flooding during the rainy season.

Meanwhile, a private school in Ajah suspended academic activities on Tuesday over safety concerns.

In a notice sighted by NAN, the school said flooded roads and drainage systems had made access unsafe for pupils and staff.

It said the temporary closure was necessary to protect the lives of pupils and employees.

The residents appealed to relevant authorities to clear blocked drainage channels, rehabilitate damaged roads and implement sustainable flood-control measures in vulnerable communities. (NAN)