We've lost millions in Lagos due to flood — victims cries

LAGOS, Exclusive — Flood control is one issue that is yet to be addressed by any Nigeria government. It has flushed so many buildings from foundation, it has wiped so many communities clean, Nigerians are crying bitterly, some residents of some areas are getting used to it that they've decided to live with it as if it's become part of their life (As seen in the picture above).


Recent reports has shown that at least N2.3m worth of properties is lost every rainy season in Nigeria while 3.7% of Nigerians are rendered homeless by flood every year. This means that if not attended to, by year 2020, thousands of Nigerians will be homeless due to wide washing out of buildings and structures by flood.

Some of the places experiencing massive destruction by flood includes Lagos, Nigeria commercial capital and one of Africa's biggest commercial cities. Flood destruction in Lagos has increased rapidly in the last 4 years due to blocked and congested drainage systems.

Lagos Ireland, one of the city's most popular area is one of the places that has been badly affected by the unattended flood control issues, the residents of the area laments how badly they suffer during rainy seasons, they narrates how they pay hugely in house rent and at the end of the day flood will sweep off their valuables.

Some of the places experiencing massive destruction by flood includes Lagos

One of the persons who spoke to Bloom Gist when we visited Lekki said that most at times when they leave for work in the morning and it starts raining, the only thing they could think of while in the office is what they'd lose at home after the rain.

"Whenever I go out in the morning to my working place, I used to pray for God to hold the rain because if eventually it rains, we are going to lose so many things including our electrical appliances" Bisola told Bloom Gist

Another person who spoke to us, a business man, Mr Chuma Agbim, a foams and mattress dealer in the area, told Bloom Gist that he's lost so much since he rented the shop in that area due to flood.

"Since I rented this shop, I've lost more than I've gained, as you can see I've not sampled my goods and you can see inside how I hanged them on the roof so that they'll not get wet when flood comes, and many people including my self are planning to move out from this area."

At least N2.3m worth of properties is lost every rainy season in Nigeria

Tunde Olukolade, a resident of the area told Bloom Gist that he's not happy with Lagos government and their slow and careless way of attending to flood matters in Lagos.

"Sincerely speaking, the past administration headed by Fashola did great work in Lagos but the way they handled matter concerning flood is not impressing, they handled it as if its not a serious issue, they really don't care about what and how the people affected by this flood are battling with life, when most of them comes to those areas to campaign, the first thing they'll promise to do is to find solution to the flood issues and clear or provide new drainage systems but ones they climb to the seat of power, the people and their problems becomes less important."

Flood destruction in Lagos has increased rapidly in the last 4 years due to blocked and congested drainage systems

He continued "It's very bad and it's started to cost us a lot, the government don't really have the people in mind and they'd say after all they will still vote for us again and at the end of the day you will see task force personals chasing traders up and down over dues and levies and they won't ask how they manage to make living in those flood devastated areas. Government need to do something or one day it will curse panic in the state."

Government really don't care about how the people affected by this flood are battling with life

Others being badly affected by flood in Lagos are FESTAC/Amuwo Odofin residents, this areas houses prominent Nigerian politicians, investors, big companies, Headquarters of some big Nigeria churches. The people in this area are clear example of "suffering and smiling". They pretend to be living in a better area while they suffer most. 

Lagos Ireland is one of the places that has been badly affected by the unattended flood control issues

During rainy season, residents of these areas who has cars has to drive through roads that have been flooded, this is only if your car doesn't break down while you're still inside the water, while does who don't have cars finds it difficult to go home or go out when it rains heavily because transport fair to and fro will be adjusted and increased automatically by drivers who plies this roads during the periods.

Other areas battling with flood in Lagos includes some parts of Surulere, around Pako-Aguda. Right at the Pako-Aguda bus stop, it's a terrible experience to go through the road when it rains.

You can't talk about flood without talking Orile Igonmu, I'ts a terrible site whenever it rains

The carnal that separates the two new Local Development Areas (Coker and Mushin-Isolo) at the bust stop is nothing to talk with mouth closed during the rainy season, when there's a heavy down pour, the carnal will be filled up with water and waste materials that a stranger will never know that there's a carnal there. It seems like either there's no government official at that area or the area is not part of Lagos State. You can't talk about flood without talking about Second Rainbow, along Oshodi-Apapa expressway, Orile Igonmu, Isolo, etc. I'ts a terrible site whenever it rains heavily in Lagos.

"People living in FESTAC pretend to be living in a better area while they suffer most."

And the simple question is: are the cries and lamentations of those residing in those flood-battling areas not being heard or the Lagos State government not paying attention to their cries.

Government need to do something about the worsening flood problems in so many part of Nigeria before it separates some communities from the rest of the country

Source: Bloom Gist