Power of We

I have always written about the environment and the flooding in Lagos anytime opportunity presents itself and this 2012 Blog Action Day is not an exception. This is the way to highlight and bring to the fore the efforts of our community in ensuring that we are not overrun by flood due to blocked canal in our locality. Almost five years ago, the state Government awarded the channelization and expansion of the Canal in our Community to a local contractor. The contract was for two years and the contractor worked day and night to meet that deadline. Suddenly everything stopped and the raining period was approaching. Weeks later, dirt and rubbish began gathering and Water hyacinth covered the canal. Before we could say Jesus is Lord, the canal which stretched across Aguda to Orile Mile 2 has been blocked. The situation became compounded with the commencement of the construction of the 10-lane-expressway from Iganmu to Badagry by the Federal and State Government and the blocking of canal at Alafia for the erection of concrete pillars. #bad12

When the rain now came, Aguda, Ikate and the whole of Surulere became flooded. Any time it rains, and no matter how little, the communities will be flooded. An appeal was sent to the Local Government Chairman for the Government to clear the canals and drainage channels to make the place flood free.

Anytime it rains, the whole area floods and water spills on to the street and houses. The floods hinders movement to schools and business places.

I remember July 10, 2011. The flood was massive. We had the Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello and some other Government officials coming to visit the site. He said the state government would expand some of the canals in Agege and other flood-prone areas to contain the massive floods that had been coming with the downpour in the state. He assured that the canal would be ready soon so we don't get to be submerged in flood any time it rains. Those were rhetoric. Nothing was done. Again, this year 28th June 2012, it rained and the whole area was flooded. I can’t forget what happened that Thursday. Water was everywhere and there was no way to pass. Most flats on the ground floors in the whole area were filled with water. I was worried for our neighbour and if on cue, she climbed up to solicit our help to bail out water from her flat. The rain was very heavy and it rained throughout the night. So many property were submerged and furniture destroyed. With that flooding of June, we mobilized ourselves into a pressure group. We did not wait for the officials to respond to letters of appeal but agreed to do something before lives are lost. In finding out why the area was always flooded, the Association realized 4 things: (1) that Lagos simply does not have the flood protection/drainage systems it requires. There has been no detailed assessment of the drainage needs of Lagos, considering its elevation, rainfall and drainage pathways. If this has been done, then there are requirements to ensure that flooding events like the ones we experience would not occur. Its not reclamation of land as most people think. (2) There is no proper routing and installation of drainage channels, with measures taken to prevent dumping. (3) The weather forecasting capabilities of the meteorology Department is poor. (4) No sincerity and will power by the Government to tackle the perennial flooding in the State. #bad12

After the findings on what causes flooding in the state especially in Surulere, the Landlord Association now decided that enough was enough. Protest was carried to the seat of power and the monitoring team assured that the government is committed to tackling the challenges posed by flooding in the state and the dredging of the canals have been captured in the 2013 Budget. The Association did not rest until the supervisor sent caterpillars to clear and dredge the Canal. Luckily, the rain has been falling but the area is not flooded and the Association has decided to pursue this option every 6 months. Without the members of the Association coming together to fight for their right from Government, we would have been counting the losses now because its been raining every day since. This really is the "Power of We" in action. #powerofwe