Oct 11, 2010 - Lagos State Government will relocate all the enumerated persons displaced by the flood in Ajegunle in the Kosofe Local Government Area of the State, the State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola said Monday.

Governor Fashola who spoke while addressing some residents of the affected areas and State House Correspondents on Ikorodu Road after inspecting the flooded areas, said the relocation of 681 enumerated victims from the area to the relief camp which has been built for use in the advent of such disasters would commence immediately, adding that all the amenities that would make life amenable would be provided for them at the relief camp.

Expressing deep concern over the disaster, even as he stopped by to empathize with motorists as he waded through a long stretch of flooded area to see things for himself, Governor Fashola said the State Government would help the displaced people set up a new town in collaboration with the Community Development Associations (CDAs), Local Government Chairmen and elected representatives through whom the Government would be reaching out to the people.

In his words: "One of the things we must understand is that this is a flood plain, nobody should live here and the people must be ready to move. As soon as I get to the office, we would be looking for land to relocate the entire communities to a new site and we would be giving you the land as cheaply, if not free, as possible so that you can move and get on with your lives".

Governor Fashola said the Honourable Commissioners for Special Duties, Health and the Environment together with the General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) would be in charge of the programme for the relocation of the displaced families.

"I want to appeal to people to please listen to us. Experts have advised that we have to wait for the water to subside; nature will take its course, but what we can do as a people is to work together and mitigate its adverse consequences", he advised.

The Governor explained that the State Government has been corresponding with the Federal Government in the last three years on the ecological issues in the State and described the present intervention by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA ) as belated.

"There are solutions which we could have proffered to the problem. We could have possibly built a new estate before this latest incident but unfortunately we neither know how the ecological fund is being allocated nor what criteria are being used", the Governor said.

"I think NEMA's contribution has come rather late because we have been corresponding with the Federal Government for three years. When I first came here in 2007, I warned about the danger and I think to bring relief now is not the solution", he added.

He appealed to the people to realize that the area is a flood plain which is backing the lagoon and for which no building plans have been granted by the State Government, adding that what is evident is a high water body in the lagoon, "It has been raining all over the world, so there is nowhere for the water to go. So this is nature at work", he said

According to Governor Fashola, "We need everybody and every member of the community to cooperate with us on the need to move. We have worked together before and we have overcome bigger challenges as a people and I belief that if we cooperate we will put this behind us quickly".

The Governor also appealed to all residents of the area who do not have specific and vital reasons to be on the road to defer such trips so that fewer people could be on the road at any particular time thus easing the traffic gridlock which the flood has aggravated.

"There is no magic that will happen if all of us converge on this road at the same time. There would be this kind of pressure. I understand your pains, I understand your anxiety and I know the conditions in which you have had to go around trying to earn a living. But we can still manage this. If you don't have a business using this road, please stay at home", Governor Fashola advised.

In his words, "I belief that if we have a good weather in the next one or two days, some of the water would have receded. The level of the water in the sea is higher than what we have here but this water cannot discharge into it".

Governor Fashola urged the residents to make the use of the Emergency Toll Free 767, 112 lines to report issues which the State Government might not be aware of, adding that Government may set up more emergency help lines if the need arises.

Also, according to the Governor, helicopters would also make surveillance flights over the area to assist in any further rescue operations that may be necessary as a result of the flood.

As a way out of the traffic gridlock, the Governor bought into a suggestion by one of the elders in the area that pending when the water finally recedes, motorcycles should pick and drop passengers before the waterlogged portions from where vehicles can complete the commuting for the passengers thus reducing the number of bikes that get stuck in the flood.

While reacting to a question on creating necessary awareness of the flood, Governor Fashola said in the last three years sensitization has been going on about the rising water level, increasing rainfall and unpredictable weather conditions.

The Governor also explained: "What has exacerbated this is that there is a global rainfall, the lagoon level where the water usually drains is now higher than the river level. What we now have is a tidal lock where the final drain is higher than the tributary from which it is coming so it is going out in circles instead of exiting into the lagoon".

The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Muiz Banire had earlier explained that the problem has been a recurring one with the present one being extremely extensive in addition to the fact that there is a rise in sea and lagoon water level.

He added that the only solution is to allow the water to naturally recede because to do otherwise would not be cost efficient and would not meet the exigency of the situation on hand.

While also speaking, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Tola Kasali said the relief camp is ready with all the facilities adding that the personnel that would cater for the needs of the victims are also there waiting for the people.

The Governor was accompanied on the tour by members of the State Executive Council, Local Government Chairmen from the area and representatives of the area at both the National Assembly and the State Assembly.

give us food

LouisThoru:

give us food

Na your guardian, abi na your ancestor?