The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) says it has begun the sensitisation of the public on clearing of drains to prevent flooding in Lagos State.

The agency’s Lagos State Coordinator, Mr. Nosa Aigbedion, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

Aigbedion said the exercise being carried out daily was for the public to understand the importance of clearing drains for run-off water to pass through after rainfall.

He said that it involved clearing of drains; desilting the waterways and ensuring that waste were properly disposed.

Aigbedion said the move was informed by the alert from the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) which indicated that flooding could be experienced in some parts of the country, including Lagos.

“To curtail this, the agency will be going out all week to create awareness and tell people the benefits of averting flood and the potential consequences of not heeding disaster preparedness advice.

“And we are not resting ourselves because while we continue to preach the message, we also have to ensure that within us, we also clear our environment of dirt and debris.

“This is to ensure that we do not become the recipients of the aftermath of the flood.”

He said that letters had been written to stakeholders, corporate bodies, schools, markets and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on the need to actively participate in clearing drains and gutters.

He noted that doing so was to ensure that the motor parks, market places and schools were protected from flooding.

“We want to continuously create awareness so that the incidence of flooding will be averted. We need to unblock the waterways and canals.

“The starting point of the flood is from nobody’s house or environment and where it will end is unknown.

“It is better we begin to act cautiously and nip it in the bud and save lives and properties.”

He also said that the agency was particular about educating school owners to create awareness on how schools could be free from flooding, especially on their resumption.

“These are some of the major activities NESREA is embarking on to ensure our environment is free from flood disasters that could be averted or better managed.”

NAN reports that in some parts of Lagos, council workers from the local government and drain dock workers are seen clearing the drains.

One of the workers told NAN anonymously that they were deployed from the State Ministry of The Environment and that they were in charge of evacuating the debris from the drains.

“We are the ones who are to clear the drains because of the onset of the rains.

“When we remove the debris, we leave it to drain water for two to four days before coming to evacuate them.

“We don’t collect money from residents because it is our job. We only ask for understanding from them for the few days we will be clearing the drains and gutters.”

NAN reports that drain dock workers are currently working in Surulere, Igammu, Orile, Ijesha, Lagos Island and other parts of the state. (NAN)

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