The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Panama Deck, has called for a Master Drainage Plan to solve the perennial problem of flood in Lagos state.
The Panama Deck Capoon, Mr Iheanyi Konkwo in a statement issued on behalf of the deck notes that “over the years successive administrations in the state have continued to grapple with finding a lasting solution to this largely avoidable menace.”
According to him, “unfortunately, this recurring and predictable disaster has repeatedly caused devastating social, security and economic consequences”
Konkwo, while recalling assurances by the state government that it had put measures in place to mitigate the effects of flooding in the state, expresses disappointment that the state witnessed a resurgence of flooding across the state following the heavy rains on Wednesday, the 9th of September, 2020.
“Reports indicate that various roads, business districts and homes were seriously impacted by flooding across the state, leading to disruption of economic and social activities”.
The association implores the state government to intensify efforts at tackling flooding in the state through the instrumentality of the law stressing that a master drainage plan will go a long way to solve the problem.
Kwonkwo explains that the master drainage plan will take care of contents deposited in the Atlantic Ocean from the only estuary and stop it from flowing back from the lagoon into the outlets of the drainage to cause river flooding.
The statement reads in part: “While we commend the efforts of the state government towards finding a lasting solution to this menace caused by human activities including the challenge of solid waste management, physical development issues, damage to drainage facilities, deforestation and urbanisation, through the instrumentality of law, policy formulation and enlightenment campaigns, it is quite clear that a lot more needs to be done”.
“Aside the enlightenment campaigns, the authorities also need to give serious consideration to the state’s peculiar geographic features, including its flat topography, low elevation relative to Mean Sea Level and the impacts of climate change, as well as its hydrology, soil characteristics and the periodic opening of the Oyan Dam, one of the tributaries of the Ogun River originally built for flood control, fishing, hydro power and irrigation.
The deck is, therefore, calling on the state government to urgently develop a Master Drainage Plan towards addressing the perennial challenge of flooding in the state.
The statement adds “such Master Plan must be based on broad engineering analysis of the existing drainage system, risk zone identification, vulnerability mapping, land use and standard design”.
“While we are mindful of the fact that such an audacious plan would at some point require the collaboration of the central government the state authorities must take the first step and provide guidance in the execution”.
In the meantime, the organisation is calling attention to the pressing need to decongest all secondary drains systems that are either silted or overgrown with weeds, to allow for a free flow into the primary system and into the lagoon.
“The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) should also be rejuvenated, to remain alive to its responsibilities, while the use of cart pushers for refuse collection and disposal should also be discouraged for Lagos to regain its most needed pride of place as Africa’s largest city” the statement concludes.
