Hundreds of residents in the Ayobo axis of Lagos were yesterday trapped after the early morning rain flooded the Marwa Bridge and submerged their homes.
It was gathered that the metals holding the bridge caved in as a result of the heavy flood, causing school children and those going about their businesses to fall into the water.
According to The Nation, other road users quickly mobilised to rescue the victims before the flood could sweep them away while emergency workers were swiftly notified of the development.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Fire Services, police and other stakeholders, rushed to the scene to prevent a stampede as the residents were already panicking.
Aside from the bridge, it was also gathered that scores of houses and cars were submerged with occupants fleeing their homes for fear of drowning.
It was learnt that the affected communities included Oke Ishagun, Isale Aboru, Ikola, Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi, Makinde Street, Olokowo Street and Adeola Street.
Some of the affected areas were said to have been flooded after the rainfall on Sunday and the water was yet to dry up before yesterday’s rain compounded the situation.
It was gathered that the area was worse hit as a result of the volume of water channelled through the bridge which was constructed by then Military Administrator, Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) to take water from only 15 canals.
At the moment, information gathered revealed that the channel was receiving water from over 60 canals, thus overstretching its capacity by four times.
Residents lamented that the bridge was taking in more water than it was originally contracted to absorb, urging the government to upgrade the place so that it would accommodate more water thereby reducing the flood situation.
The over-flooded river ran into nearby business centres, destroying wares such as caskets, gates, doors, furniture, bricks and destroyed houses.
At the time the scene was visited, two trucks ran into nearby drainages, causing gridlock on the road.
A businessman whose goods were washed away by the flood, Mr Wale Olabanjo, while speaking with The Nation, lamented over the loss the incident incurred on him.
He said: “This rain was not expected. No one saw it coming. We left here yesterday evening with our wares intact, only for us to meet everything washed away this morning.
“I sell iron gates and doors. This water washed away almost all my wares to the express and trailer ran over them. I don’t know where to start. Look at our goods. Where are we going to get money in this economy?
“The water also carried away one “Mallam” but luckily, he was rescued. This is too much for me to bear. Please the government should come to our aid”.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos Office Coordinator of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, said that 151 houses were affected by the flood, adding that there was no loss of lives or injury.
He said the emergency workers were able to hold the bridge and also organize the people for ease of evacuation, noting that while some of them were successfully moved from their submerged homes, others were still there, against advice.
Farinloye said 23 houses were affected at Oke Ishagun, 35 at Isale Aboru, 29 at Ikola, 15 at Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi, 12 at Makinde, 16 at Olokowo and 21 houses at Adeola.
He urged residents to prepare for the rainy season, noting that the incidents of Sunday and yesterday should serve as a pointer for what to expect this year.
“It is important to imbibe the culture of disaster risk reduction strategies in all spheres of our societal endeavours. We must begin adhering to safety measures against flood disasters.
“Thanks be to God that no life was lost and no one was injured. What we witnessed the most was the disruption of the normal lives of the people.
“NEMA is working with the appropriate state MDAs in amelioration of observations and findings from today’s incident and the state has promised to make sure no stone is unturned to make the state safer.
“The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed, hereby appeals to Nigerians to start clearing their drainages of dirt and desilt them. Community Development Associations should live up to their responsibilities in coordinating the activities of neighbourhoods toward safer environments,
“Local Government Authorities must not spare the rods against corporate organisations blocking the drainages while people must be prosecuted for blockage of drainages, dumping of refuse in drainages as envisaged in environmental laws to save the society.
“The Director General expressed his support of the Lagos State Government’s bold decision after the 2023 rainy season by pulling down drainage obstructing structures across various parts of the state”.
