Ademola Adeshina
Lagos state Government has asked residents of coastal and low-lying wetland areas to relocate to avert needless loss of lives and properties during the rainy season.
The State commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tunji Bello made this appeal while briefing newsmen on the year 2020 seasonal rainfall predictions and measures put in place to prevent flooding in the metropolis.
He said based on NIMET’s forecast, Lagos will experience a rainy season of 270 days out of which Lagos Island alone will record 252 days.
He said although the prediction for Lagos this year is near normal adding sea level rise poses biggest risk to people living in coastal areas.
The Commissioner who allayed the fears of residents assured that control measures are being stepped up to contain any unforeseen weather condition.
He also renewed appeal on residents to desist from their unfriendly behaviours towards the environment.
On his part the Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage Joe Igbokwe disclosed that several canals and drainages have been cleared in preparations for the rainy season.
On the removal of man-holes on major roads across the metropolis, Igbokwe noted that efforts are ongoing to replace them with fibres.