OGBA BUSINESS OWNERS IN DIRE NEED OF FLOOD INTERVENTION

There are the good days and there are days to forget; nobody prays for a continuous occurrence of the latter but it's not the case with Ogba. There is no choice when it comes to the land that fears the rain season; it's like a fate residents have been subjected to; every fall is like a doomsday and no-one is immune; not residents, not commuters and especially not business owners.

On some days, just a prolonged period of intense rain could wrought flood that can affect hundreds of people and businesses and it's projected that a continuity in occurrences like these can cause millions of naira harm by the end of this decade if the government fails to prevent the worst-case scenario, according to a new analysis.

The area of land at risk from rain flooding continues to be on the increase by almost half, (especially from Ogba junction to Aguda) a level that puts more homes, roads and other infrastructure in the firing line; the smaller business take the greatest hit too, with up to 50 million of assets exposed; the costs were calculated using populations affected and GDP figures.

Talk about commuters, again, nobody prays to be caught in Ogba flood, whether as a pedestrian, hiker, stroller, as a driver, chauffer or motorists journeying through the region.

"Sometimes, I wish I can predict the times when rain would fall and when it will be heavy especially because I can't but pass through Ogba whenever I am leaving my office for home. It's a route I pass every day and I can't count how many times I have been unable to go out with my car because of the damages and inconvenience caused by flood", said Mr lanre Ishola, owner of Lukadol Cyber Cafe (a popular cafe in Ogba).

Residents lament: Audio Listen

Many residents continue to point accusing fingers to the government as the entity solely responsible for the flood in Ogba. Some point to the lack of a good drainage system to begin with and some highlight the fact that the drainage system is not even big enough to endure the flood. More so, some people are of the opinion that the flooding issue in Ogba is not so bad because it doesn't tarry long to the extent the waters become stagnant and begin to harbor diseases.

"The water does eventually go and it appears like the area was not even flooded", said a resident whose name was asked to be reserved. However, Mr Bolanle Audu who owns one of the kiosks in Ogba labelled KICK 40 says: Ogba's flood issue cannot be the government's fault alone. He believes the resident are to be blamed much more.

He said in pidgin, "there's one thing I hate about Nigerians; dem dey always dey quick to blame others and are never open to admit their own fault. Look at the gutters and see how the same people who are blaming government have clogged it with plastic. Where do you expect the water to go when you don block the flow with plastic, na why the flood dey increase everytime".

Heavy downpours have been disrupting normal life in almost all metro cities in Lags, with Ogba bearing the brunt last month but thankfully no deaths. "It is true that poor drainage and sewage system is the real cause of urban flooding. There is also migration to cities which often leads to land encroachment and exerts pressure on the existing civic infrastructure," Syinix Electronics Distributor, Sharma told The Frontline

Bolanle posits that Urban floods are entirely manmade with poorly maintained drains, plastic bags, shrinking open spaces and climate change contributing to accumulation of water on Ogba roads after a heavy downpour, "lackadaisical attitude" of civic authorities are among the factors that contribute to cities coming to a standstill after heavy rains.

WHAT'S THE WAY FORWARD?

Ogba residents have to behave responsibly and ensure that plastic bags or used food plates are not thrown in the open or in the neighbourhood drains and cities need a proper system of garbage collection and sewage disposal and regular cleaning of drains.

Sharma said the urban planning has to have a long-term perspective and infrastructure should keep pace with growth of population. He said rain water harvesting should be made mandatory.

"There is also the need of fixing accountability of government officials and municipal authorities if drains are not properly cleaned. Strict penalties should be imposed on people throwing garbage in the open."

"There is need to make people aware as this will also meet the larger goal of cleanliness," he said.

Nobody indeed prays, wants, wishes for or even delights in a continuous occurrence of floods and it can be the case with Ogba as long as we continue to do the right things at the right time.

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ASSIGNMENT COVERED BY:

BOLUWATIFE EZEKIEL OLALEYE   -  HNMC/19/085

FAITHFUL DAVID O. AKAISO   - HNMC/19/054

BENEDICT SANDRA ELOHOGENE-   HNMC/19/065.

OLACHI VANESSA ONYENWE - HNMC/19/076.