Despite recent flash floods that have occurred in several areas of the State as a result of the unusually heavy rains over the past few days, the Lagos State Government has once again assured residents that there is no need to fear.
This guarantee was given by Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, during a live interview on the Channels Television show: ‘Sunday Politics.’
According to Omotoso, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration invested in clearing and cleaning all drainage channels, including 232 secondary drainage channels and other drains, after the metrological report that predicted heavy rainfall in Lagos for Y2022, in order to avoid the type of flooding being experienced in other parts of the country.
The Commissioner revealed that when it rains in Lagos, there are flash floods that pass within an hour or two of the rain, despite the fact that the Oyan and Osun Dams have been opened to release stored water. However, he urged residents who reside in low-lying, flood-prone areas to exercise caution and be ready to leave immediately if necessary.
Additionally, he rejected the Economist Intelligence report that listed Lagos as the second-most unlivable city, saying, “Lagos is not only the pride of the Blackman; it’s also a city where foreign companies are falling over themselves to invest, as the State is attracting the largest foreign direct investment in Africa. In addition to being fourth on the continent and 98th globally in terms of wealth.
In highlighting a few of the accomplishments of the Sanwo-Olu administration in Lagos State, Omotoso revealed that the Government has accomplished a lot in the field of education and that last Wednesday, 15 new schools with more than 150 classroom blocks and 1,386 bed-space hostels were officially opened.
In his own words: “We are developing renowned schools, such the Elemoro Secondary School with top-notch sports facilities where the national team can train and the Wetland School in Agege with unique touch screen boards, powered 24 hours a day by solar energy.”
Omotoso also cited other admirable initiatives previously carried out by the administration, such as the Blue and Red Rail, which are expected to be finished in the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of the following year, respectively. He claimed that the Red Line project was initiated by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration on April 15 of last year and will be finished this year.
