(severe flooding. Photo by vanguard news)
Due to severe flooding, many residents of Ishaga Close, Safejo, Amukoko, Ojo Road, Ajegunle, Alaba Oro, Amusa, and Suru-Alaba, as well as other Lagos State Community Development Areas, have abandoned their homes. They have called on the state government to prevent them from being completely displaced.
This occurred as Ishaga locals expressed concern about the terrible condition of the road, which had been abandoned following palliative work completed by Mayor Olufemi Akanbi Okeowo, Executive Chairman of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The locals claim that the rubbish from Safejo, Ishaga Close, Alaba Oro, and the carnal boundaries of Ojo Road, Ajegunle, and Amukoko has not been collected and abandoned.
However, they disapproved of the officials’ cooperation in using bribery to demolish properties that occupied the Right of Way (RoW) at the carnal, impeding the free passage of water at the drains.
This goes against Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s pledge to the people that his administration will make every effort to keep the state free of flooding throughout the year.
A few years ago, Sanwo-Olu announced this during the commissioning of the second batch of 19 high-capacity drainage clearing and maintenance equipment, which was intended to increase capacity.
The locals pleaded with the Lagos State government to assist them in clearing the canal, which had been neglected for a few years and caused water to pour over homes, schools, and roadways.
They claim that this development of neglect has made it feasible for onlookers to walk through the devastation to other towns, which has allowed cult conflicts to succeed and wreak havoc on people’s lives and property.
Safejo, Alaba Oro, Suru Alaba, Ishaga Close, Amukoko, Ojo Road, and Ajegunle are the streets most impacted.
In order to protect themselves, affected residents have started donning rain boots when entering and leaving their homes.
Mrs. Rukayat told Vanguard that in order to address the carnal issues in the villages, they want government assistance.
“The flood has taken over our community,” she bemoaned. In addition to wearing rain boots, several of our seats and appliances have been destroyed by the flood over the past few days. We need the intervention of the government to fix our drainages to save us from the flood.
“With just one downpour, the entire neighborhood has become a swimming pool, making it impossible for us to enter and exit our homes.” What would happen to us if the Nigerian Meteorological Services (NIMET) predicts that it will continue to rain heavily? How can it be explained that these carnals are occupied by Shanti buildings, hotels, churches, and mosques and that nothing has been done about it?
Undoubtedly, some homes are constructed without toilets, so when it rains, feces and an unpleasant stench are frequently observed on the roads and drains. What will it take to go on a rampage and inspect these abnormalities? The authority tasked with that job has failed. If not making sure that the law is followed, what are they there for?
“Everyone was left to operate as they saw fit after Babatunde Fashola’s rule of law and strict enforcement, which has destroyed the beauty of these communities.”
A hamlet in Lagos where locals urinate into a canal
“The flood has taken away most of the things I have, I am now left with mat which we sleep on,” stated a young newlywed who lost the majority of her possessions due to the recent downpour. The canals were cleared once or twice a year under the previous governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola.
In order to protect themselves, many families have sought refuge overseas, but those who cannot afford to leave have fled to elevated places whenever it rains.
One such individual is a mother known only as Iya Tawa, who began sleeping with her infant in a toilet.
She and her child now find refuge in the restroom, which is located on a higher level outside the main residences.
“I used to fight with the other women for space in the toilet whenever it rained, but most of them let me use it because I’m older.”
“Everything I brought with me to this community has been destroyed. We start to worry and stress when we go to work and it starts to rain because we know there won’t be a place to sleep. It denotes a difficult, chilly, unpleasant mosquitoes. When we return to see our homes flooded, we go to bed hungry as there will be no place to cook.”
Iya Tawa, who said she also cooks and eats in the toilet, added that the community urgently needed government intervention.
Another inhabitant, a G.C.E.M., Pst. cleric. According to Sunday, the area’s boreholes are contaminated by the flood and the liquids from the landfill’s decaying debris, rendering the water unfit for human consumption. “If you look closely, you may see water in certain schools and churches.
Additionally, you would witness kids skipping their classes in favor of attending them. It is regrettable that the proper action is never taken to avert future crises.
How long will it take to finish this? Are we implying that these areas of the state don’t merit attention or care? Every time it rains, the location is really embarrassing.
Because some structures at the right-of-way had to bribe their way out to ensure it wasn’t packed in the proper spots, the last time work was done in this carnal was around four years ago, and it was shallow work. Who has tricked us into acting morally is the question.
