>
Lagos State Government at the weekend alerted residents to the rise in sea water level, resulting in the inability of the lagoon to discharge water into the ocean.
The development, it said, is causing backflow into the drainage channels which is responsible for the flooding being experienced in some parts of the state.
The government in a statement by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, however assured residents that its officials are working on different measures to remove the constriction and blockades that would allow easy passage of the resultant flood.
The Commissioner also stated that the state government is in talks with the officials of Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority, which he claimed were releasing water from the dam to do so gradually.
“The Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority can no longer hold the Oyan dam, forcing it to release its water which is causing the rise in water level of Ogun river,” he said.
According to him, the rise in water level of Ogun river has affected low line areas like Isheri, Magodo and Owode Onirin.
Bello further explained that the rise in sea level contributed to current flooding being experienced in many parts of Ikoyi, V.I, Dolphin Estate, Surulere and Oworoshoki because the lagoon cannot discharge its water, causing the water to flow back into drainage outlets.
He said the officials of the Drainage Department had expected it to go down by Friday evening, adding that “but from the look of things, it may last throughout the weekend.”
He said until the ocean level goes down, the lagoon cannot discharge water into the ocean.
The Commissiooner, however, assured residents in the state that the state government is putting measures in place to ensure the safety of lives and properties residents, stressing that the recurrence of the flooding would be prevented.