The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has warned Lagosians against the practice of dredging and sand filling.
This is as the agency, under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, raised an alarm over the possibility of devastating floods from the end of August to early October in some states of the federation, especially Lagos.
The Agency had earlier predicted flood in Lagos, Nasarawa, Anambra, Abia, Kwara, Kaduna, Rivers, Enugu, Borno and Ondo states, which has been witnessed as a result of heavy local rainfalls compounded by poor drainage system.
Some parts of Lagos have been experiencing flooding in the past weeks.
The Director-General of the Agency, Engr. Nze Clement Onyeaso, in an interaction with some journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, said all areas earlier identified as flood prone this year as well as those along the Rivers Niger and Benue might likely begin to experience more devastating flooding from the end of August.
Engr. Nze, therefore, stressed that Lagosians should desist from the practice of dredging and sand filling the Atlantic Ocean, to build model cities like those in Lekki and Banana Island because of the future threats it poses in the future.
As part of the preparation for the expected floods, the DG called on Nigerians, especially the state governments to be fully prepared by ensuring cleaning of blocked drainage system and canals, remove refuse, weeds, water hyacinths and floats on water channels.
“Nigeria is located within the River Niger Basin which is occupied by nine countries namely Benin, Burkina- Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d’Ivore, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. Nigeria is located at the lowest position of the Basin and this means that once the upper catchment of the Basin gets flooded, Nigeria should be prepared to experience flooding. The period of flooding in these upstream countries is August and September of every year,’’ he said.
The NIHSA boss had earlier this month stated that Lagos is one of the 10 mega cities globally that might sink or disappear in 50 years based on meteorology.
“Lagos and surrounding areas were included in our prediction in terms of the flooding that occurred. Also, Lagos is one of the 10 mega cities globally and there are six cities that are sinking and might sink or disappear in 50 years based on meteorology. Lagos is one of them.” He had said.
