The Lagos Government claims that the recent flood in the country have had no effect on the state because of its foresight and investments in the drainage system.
According to Gbenga Omotosho of the Lagos State Information and Strategy Commission. He cited a number of locations in and outside of Nigeria where floods have killed and displaced millions.
“But in Lagos, you don’t have this kind of situation because we have a proactive government and because of the kind of investment we’ve made in our drainage system, which is working; in cleaning our drains,” the commissioner said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics which was monitored by The Herald.
The Lagos State Government, according to the Commissioner, has also issued early warnings to residents of flood-prone areas.
“About three times, we have said to the media that people should prepare because the weather man said that Lagos is going to experience more rains,” Omotosho added.
“But fortunately because of the preparations we have made, we have not seen the kind of flooding we have seen in other places. What you see in Lagos are flash floods.”
“So, it is a lot of what we have done; a lot of investments that we have made,” the commissioner maintained.
Since the floods began, more than 600 people have been confirmed dead in the worst floods.
According to a statement released on Twitter by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the disaster (flood) had also forced more than 1.3 million people to flee their homes.
“Unfortunately, as of today, October 16, 2022, over 603 lives have been lost,” said Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq.
The previous week’s toll was 500, but the minister said the numbers had risen in part because some state governments had not prepared for the flood.
According to Umar Farouq, the flooding also completely destroyed over 82,000 houses and nearly 110,000 hectares (272,000 acres) of farmland.
While the rainy season typically begins in June, the National Emergency Management Agency reported that rainfall had been particularly heavy since August (NEMA).
The flood killed 363 people and displaced over 2.1 million people in 2012.
Climate change affects Sub-Saharan Africa disproportionately, and many of its economies are already suffering from the aftereffects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Rice producers have warned that the devastating floods could have an impact on rice prices in the country of 200 million people, where rice imports are prohibited in order to stimulate domestic production.
According to the World Food Programme and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Nigeria is one of six countries facing a high risk of catastrophic levels of hunger.
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