Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands

Rains of Sorrow for Lagosians

The belching of the sky have always caused him to be edgy wherever he is in any part of Lagos metropolis. Whenever it drizzles however, he carries his heart in his hands, praying that the sky should hold back its breath. Now, the rains are here in torrents, and he is planning to relocate temporarily to another place in order to avert a major catastrophe.

Ibukunle Ayodele, who lives at Ayinke street, Shogunle in Oshodi- Isolo Local government area of Lagos have had to abandon his home facing directly the mighty fence at the west-end of the Nigerian Airforce Base, Ikeja several occasions when it rains.

Three years ago, when the mighty fence carved in on account of pressure from flood, the entire stretch of that street and other surrounding area became horrifyingly flooded. Ayodele, a Panel-beater with three children worse fear now is how to cope with the perennial flood in the area. After the flood destroyed the huge fence three years ago, Nigerian Airforce, re- enforce the fence by increasing its base width with concrete beam stretching from almost the beginning of the west- end to its Mafoluku axis. But even at that, residents are praying that they be spared that nightmarish experience that left a sizeable number of them homeless for days.

Investigations by Vanguard revealed that residents of Ayinke street have had to suffer continuous flooding because the entire stretch of the street is a sloppy contour adjoining the platinous base. Therefore, anytime there is a heavy downpour, the force of the water that runs from the hilly base channels itself forcefully through the window- size corridors facing the street directly.

However, another resident in the area, Marcus Ibanga says it is more than that: "There is a deep, big pit stretching more than 70 metres in length at the back of the base. The place is a very dangerous place, filled with all kinds of things. It was not covered when it was dug many years ago. As a result of this, it accumulates so much water. When eventually it gets filled, its content empties out."

Fears are being expressed by experts that if nothing concrete is done to check the flood menace in Lagos, about 85 percent of the metropolis would be affected. "It has always been this half- way measure by government. The flood threat in Lagos is a very serious problem that should be addressed by any people- orientated government," notes Engineer Afolabi Ogunbiyi, a water engineer and environmental activist.

Continuing, Ogunbiyi states: "A whole lot of factors can be adduced as being responsible for the floods in many parts of Lagos. Poor planning by the Town Planning Authority is a major one. The others are poor sewage design, stilted channelisation, bad waste disposal habits, etc. Government should as a matter of urgent priority embark on the clearing of all sewage and water channels in the state, which presently are blocked by debris."

While most residents in various parts of Lagos bemoan their experience(s) since the rainy season started, commuters, transporters and vehicle owners have varying tales to tell. " I live in Adanitan Estate, Alagbado, an outskirts of Lagos. We are suffering in this area. Government should come to our aid before we are cut off from other parts of the state. The problem we have is that the main road linking the estate with the expressway, precisely Sowemimo street has been rendered impassable as a result of the rains. Other streets like Shitta, Balogun, etc are also in terrible state. We are fed up going to Ifako- Ijaye local government, that is why we are appealing to the state government," complains Bitrus Midano, a resident of the area.

Transporters plying the ever busy Oshodi- Apapa expressway have been having it tough maneuvering the spot stretching from Berlet bus stop to Iyana- Itire. It has been one Herculean task for some of the drivers, who have had to employ their sixth sense before they could get through. Last year, Julius Berger Plc, the road and bridge construction giants literally shifted their headquarters to the spot. By the time they were through, they felt they had found the answer. But now the spot is worse off. Hakeem Ahmed, a second- hand furniture dealer at Berlet derides the construction giants for this: "This place be like sey e don taya dem. See the road dem do self..,. See as water dey comot from ground. Ebi like say no bi the Julius Berger wey I dey hear do this road."

Indeed, at various strategic points along the road, there are potholes, gullies and motorists complain of the neglect of these spots that coincide with most Bus stops along the expressway. .Though most Lagosians differ on why, and how to tackle rain induced environmental problems like flooding, bad roads (potholes) in the state, they are however, quick to point out the laudable efforts of the administration of Buba Marwa in tackling some of these problems. Specifically, most of them are wondering what has become of the activities of the Direct Labour Agency (DLA), which the Tinubu administration inherited.

But that nothwithstading, government on its own have reinteracted its resolve to tackle the problem once the rainy season ends. But Bisi Oyedeji, a trader at Olosa market, Mushin sarcastically retorts: "Ati gbon ye," meaning we have heard that over and over again.

Leonard Nzenwa Jnr, Vanguard - 28 June 2000