LASEMA has not announced support for Lagos flood victims

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has not made any announcement about giving relief materials or compensation to residents who lost their belongings during the recent flooding in the state.

In a phone interview with PUNCH Metro on Thursday, LASEMA spokesperson Afolabi Olawale said the agency is still waiting for official instructions on the matter.

"Right now, there is no official statement. As we speak, there is nothing to share on that issue. When we have updates, we will let you know," Olawale said.

This response came after the National Emergency Management Agency, together with LASEMA, carried out a joint assessment of areas hit by the recent floods. They wanted to see how bad the damage was and what immediate help the victims needed.

The assessment looked at areas in Alimosho, Ikeja, Kosofe, and Lagos Island. They wanted to understand the level of damage, find affected infrastructure, and note the humanitarian needs of the people.

Some of the communities visited included Oke-Ira in Ikeja, Oworonshoki and Gbagada in Kosofe, and Idumagbo Avenue and Jankara on Lagos Island.

NEMA reported that the assessment revealed that heavy rainfall and poor drainage systems led to serious flooding that impacted homes, businesses, and public facilities.

The agency noted that the flooding ruined household items and business property, disrupted economic activities, made several roads impassable, and temporarily displaced some residents.

As part of the assessment, residents were educated on how to prevent flooding. This included proper waste disposal and regularly cleaning drains, canals, and stormwater channels.

NEMA mentioned that it would send the assessment results to the relevant authorities to aid in the needed response. They also urged residents to keep drainage channels clear of waste and avoid actions that block the natural flow of stormwater.

Some residents shared their experiences with PUNCH Metro. They described how the flooding on Sunday ruined their household items, damaged cars, and disrupted businesses after part of a perimeter fence fell onto a major road.

A number of victims called on the state government to provide relief materials to help cover some of the losses they suffered during the flooding.