SHOULD WE BE DANCING UNDER THE RAIN ?


Do we need a satellite image to make us know that Lagos state is closer to the Atlantic ocean, do we need a prophet to tell us that there will be two seasons in Nigeria ?
This year, the volume of rainfall in the western part of Nigeria is observed to be higher compared to the previous years. This was predicted, but what did we do? This is a good news for the Agriculture industry, the Hydro electric power industry and of course for the baby making strata of the society. To the population in less developed areas of western Nigeria, the universe have blessed the land for farming, while to the population in the developed and commercial areas of western Nigeria, it is another festival to celebrate the biblical story that God flooded the earth and preserved the life of the righteous.

For some days now, the major discussions in the western part of Nigeria has been the flood in Lekki and Lagos Islands. Did the flooding start this year ? Did we know it will be this much ? Did we prepare for it ?.

Left to we Nigerians, the journalists will make a news out of it, the musicians a song out of it, our students will make a debate out of it or better still, we start an argument over the flood, play the blame game and on and on, while lives are endangered, properties lost and/or damaged and businesses are put to a stop. One thing that might rarely come out is a solution. Or even better an opportunity which could be utilized. 

A Solution

The nature of what Lagos is and where it is has made it the core of businesses in Nigeria. The network, the opportunities, the market, the resources etc. This has driven businesses, people and companies to the coast lines for more space and luxury and hence the water has been tampered with and the sea level has risen in recent times. The flood being experienced isn't going to be the last this year and certainly not ever. The problem could be one of so many things but this extract proposes a solution which could start implementation soon and save the islands both for the time being and in the future.  The flood are coming in both from the sea and from the underground water table, this water then has to be channelled somewhere else. Definitely, it can't go back to the sea, then a Dam looks a more feasible solution. The flood could be channelled to a dam which can be used both for a tourism center(waterfall, park) and also be supplied to neighbouring states and companies around. The water if it can be returned, can be recycled for better use and even an opportunity for business. This can serve as a long term solution for subsequent floods. A Dam for tourism and/or a water reservoir would help control the water, coupled with other flood preventive measures, overflooding could be a forgotten problem.

A Steel dams would be faster to construct, at least to hold the water while the other part of this project is completed and in few weeks, all the water could be channelled into these dams to keep properties and secure lives. The water could be recycled and distributed to companies and places both within and outside the state for other domestic and commercial use.

The story might be dying off bit by bit, but we should know, rain is coming back, maybe not this month, maybe not this year, but it's coming. Just like the Game of Thrones; Winter is coming. What do we do, How prepared are we??

Your Opinion??

Cc: Fuoye Engrs