We are building retention pond for flood-Lagos Govt.

lekki

Following the flood that greeted most parts of the Island namely Ajah, Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi in Lagos State with the damages done yet to be quantified, the state government has said it is building a retention pond to aid in containing flooding in the state.

Dr Babatunde Adejare, the Commissioner for the Environment, said on Monday, that the retention pond was at the moment being built at Sangotedo to serve as a reservoir for storm water at the peak of the rainy season, which will then be channeled into the Okota Riverside after the rains subsided.

The commissioner stated, “This retention pond is essential as Lagos in recent times has been experiencing flash flooding due to the rise in the sea level and persistent rainfall.

“Flooding all over the world is rated as the second biggest natural disasters. We will find a lasting solution to the issue of flooding in Lagos.

“Lagos has experienced 475mm of rainfall in the last seven days; the rain of July 8, which was 178mm was more than six months of rainfall in the city of California, USA.”

He also said that the government had resolved to be more stringent in the campaign against dumping of refuse in canals and drainages and was ready to enforce physical planning laws.

Adejare said the flooding on Saturday was due to the high tide of the lagoon, persistent rainfall and high volume of stormwater, and consequent backflow from the lagoon to the drains instead of the drains discharge into the lagoon.

Cars Submerged in the flo

Adejare stated that the retention pond was part of the state government’s response to flooding, in addition to the existence of about 202 primary channels that served as storage and drains for storm water.

Insurance companies might face record claims following the flooding due to fact that property owners are allegedly filing documents to lay claims against them which could result in huge losses for them and payment to their claimants.

It was learnt that most property owners, high net-worth individuals, living in Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi had their properties insured.

Economic and financial analysts could not put a figure to the amount in claims the insurance sectors would likely face from the unfortunate development when contacted by our correspondents on Monday.

They, however, said the impact would be felt significantly by the insurance sector.

Remarking on the likely impact of the development on the insurance sector, the Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, said, “Houses in Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikoyi have household insurance cover. Household insurance is one of the compulsory insurance policies. The insurance sector will record very huge claims. I cannot put a figure now because it will be too early to do that, but certainly it will be huge.”

Analysts said the flood did not hamper banking and business operations because it happened over the weekend.

They, however, said a few companies, whose business premises were affected, might face little disruptions.