The National Emergency Management Agency has raised the alarm over the looming flood disaster in Lagos, Ogun and other neighboring states.
The agency hinted that Nigerians should expect a high volume of rainfall by next month.
The Public Relations Officer of the agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, said this on Thursday at the 2019 NEMA staff retreat held in Abeokuta.
The retreat, with the theme, ‘Re-engineering the agency for effective and proactive disaster management,’ was attended by representatives of the agency across the South-West states.
Farinloye said research had shown that Nigeria would record more flooding this year in Lagos and other neighboring states following the alleged refusal of the state governments to expand drainage both in the rural and urban areas.
He noted that the agency had sent letters to the state governors calling their attention to the forthcoming danger.
Farinloye, however, advised state governors and local government executives to expand drainage in their areas, saying that was the only solution to the flood disaster.
“There is a need to expand the drainage. Go to Lagos and other neighboring states, you will see that the drainage has been filled up with refuse and other waste. Therefore, if the rain begins, there is no way we won’t record flood disaster.
“The state governments and local governments are responsible for the expansion of the drainage. That is why the Director-General had sent letters to all of them, calling their attention to it and they all showed interest.
“However, we should be expecting more rains this year. Parents should be very careful with their children. When you see that it’s about to rain, it is better for you not to allow your children to go anywhere for that period.
“Motorists should also drive carefully while plying the roads,” he said.
