NIMET Director-General, Dr Anthony Anuforom
The Lagos State Government has been commended for taking proactive steps in warning residents about the implications of the rainfall predictions as well as its numerous efforts to prevent flooding in the state.
The Director-General, Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET), Dr Anthony Anuforom, stated this at a press briefing during an interactive session with state governors and stakeholders on the state of Nigerian environment at Abuja.
Anuforom observed that while the Lagos State Government took the warnings seriously, other states ignored the predictions which have now led to grave consequences for them to manage.
He recalled that NIMET specifically according to its prediction of March 1, 2012, wrote to some states between August 3-6 about some noticed soil moisture saturation which could lead to serious flooding, unfortunately many states ignored and never took it seriously.
The Director-General however declined to mention the states.
While reacting to the massive flooding been experienced across the nation, the Director of Programmes, Organisation for Better Environment, Dr. Leke Ayileke, praised NIMET for its early warnings and predictions to Nigerians, which he noted was commendable.
He equally commended the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, for its numerous advocacy programmes, which indeed have helped to reduce the incidences of flooding in the state.
Ayileke particularly recognised the effort of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and more importantly the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, for his commitment to the cause of Lagos environment.
He recalled that the state campaign against flooding commenced early in the year, through series of advocacy programme and warnings to residents living in flood prone areas to relocate to the upland.
According to the Director-General of NIMET, other states in the federation are urged to emulate the Lagos State Government and put in place programmes to mitigate against climate change and other measures to reduce or totally eliminate the incidence of flooding in the state.