Flood Traps Students in Oko Oba, Lagos, as Residents Lament Poor Drainage
Heavy rainfall on Monday afternoon caused a flood that took over roads and other areas in the Oko Oba community, Orile Agege Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
The flood prevented some students from returning to their homes after school.
The students, who were seen in their different school uniforms, were stranded for about two hours at the bridge that connects Oko Oba to other parts of the state.
They were students of Lagos Baptist Senior Secondary School, Eko Junior Secondary School, and Lagos Baptist Senior College.
A resident, James Joel, who witnessed the situation, said the flood was a recurrent problem in the community.
He said the flood was caused by the filled canal and the insufficient drainage system in the area.
He said: “This is not the first time this is happening. Every time it rains heavily, we experience this kind of flood.
The canal is blocked and there are no proper drainages to allow the water to flow out. The government should come to our aid and clear the canal and construct more drainages.”
Another resident, Mrs Bola Adeyemi, who has a shop near the bridge, said she lost some of her goods to the flood.
She said: “I had to close my shop early because of the flood. Some of my goods were soaked and damaged by the water. I don’t know how I will recover from this loss. The government should do something about this flood before it destroys our lives and properties.”
The flood also affected other parts of the state, such as Abule Egba, where houses and streets were submerged by the water.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has advised residents to avoid flooded areas and report any emergency situation to the agency.