Joe Igbokwe: Lagosians have to live with flooding — it’s a natural occurrence

Joe Igbokwe, special adviser to Lagos state governor on drainage and water resources, says residents of the state “have to live with flooding” because it is inevitable.

Several parts of the state suffer flooding whenever there is heavy rainfall.

On July 16, TheCable reported, with pictures, how both the island and mainland axis of the state were affected.

Speaking during a programme on Arise TV on Wednesday, Igbokwe compared Lagos to the Netherlands, New Orleans, and Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.

He said any resident that wants to avoid flooding should not live in areas where flood temporarily settles before returning to the lagoon.

“This is a coastal city — below sea level. And we must have. Look at what is happening in the Netherlands or New Orleans, or Port Harcourt. It’s a natural phenomenon. Natural occurrence, and it’s bound to happen,” Igbokwe said.

“We have to live with it. I’m going to give names of areas you’re not supposed to live in Lagos if you want to avoid flooding. Owode, Iwaya, Makoko, Ijora-Badia, Isari-North, Kara, Ajegunle, Majidun, Ogolonto. These are areas you’re not supposed to build anything there.

“It’s a wetland. These are places where you have flash flooding.”