Our Reporter
The LASEMA Stakeholders Technical Working Committee on Flood Free Lagos converged in Alausa on Monday to brainstorm on ways and means to mitigate flooding in the state, following prediction of torrential rainfall by NIMET in 2024.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu said the aim of the stakeholders forum was to strategise on ways to control flooding, as Lagos topography makes the state prone to perennial flash floods.
While stressing that aside from de-silting drainages, carting away of debris and clearing of canals to prevent floodings, Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the focal point of the forum was to strategise on ways of preventing overlapping of functions during emergencies.
Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu appealed to Lagos residents to cooperate with emergency responders during rescue operations to reduce fatalities and prevent loss of properties during emergency.
He revealed that the Technical Working Committee will hold a workshop on the 3rd of June, with public advocacy slated for 13th of June to educate residents on disaster mitigation.
Stakeholders, in agreement with the Permanent Secretary’s assertion, corroborated the need for synergy among emergency responders to reduce unnecessary depletion of the state government’s resources in the management of emergency and disaster through cooperation.
The Technical Working Committee comprises of representatives from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Red Cross of Nigeria, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Ministry of the Environment amongst others.
