RESIDENTS have cried out over the endless flooding in Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Alimosho Local Government due to the poor drainage system, which has reportedly claimed the lives of commuters, residents, and school-children.
It was a day of terror and panic penultimate Tuesday afternoon when a huge flood submerged some communities in Idimu, following a very heavy downpour.
The frightening flood which came in torrents held commuters to a standstill for at least three hours, as school children and residents scampered to safety.
A shop owner said, "this flood is nothing compared to those of really serious rainy days." The rain began around 2:00 pm and did not stop until after 3:00 pm, while the flood took about another two hours to subside.
The flood has claimed the lives of many people including that of a little school girl of Olorunfunmi Junior School, Halimat.
Princess Clara Oyegbanu, the pioneer of Olorunfunmi schools decades ago, told Alimosho Today that the flood kills people every year and has been killing school children for at least 20 years now.
A schoolgirl, Ademide Oyekan, said the flood scares her and that day's downpour came just after school hours when most learners were already on their way home.
Ademide said this was her first time of experiencing the flood, but she has heard about it many times.
High Chief, Alhaji Fatai Eto of Idimu land, said: "The flood which dragged Halimat many miles down the road before hitting her head on a pavement and killing her on the spot was not as heavy as this."
The cause of the perennial flooding has been linked to blocked drainages.
Chief Fatai Eto said: "The gutters are filled up from Egbeda Road down to Idimu-Orisunbare and sealed in such a way that residents cannot attempt to open and clear them."
When Alimosho Today reached out to the admin officer of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), Lagos West Senatorial District, Mr Mustapha Kazeem, he said that LAWMA officials often come to pick up garbage from residents every day except when their vehicles developed some faults.
Alimosho Today further reached out to The Assistant Director of Lagos State Environmental Health, Sanitarian Babawunmi M.O.,who revealed that it is the duty of residents to clear their gutters and waterways to avoid flooding, citing that it is in line with the State environmental laws for residents to clear their drainages regularly.
The health expert said there are many implications and hazards connected with uncontrolled flooding because lives and property are at risk.
Sealed gutters on Idimu Road near Olorunfunmi public school compound
