10th July, 2012
The Director of Marine Geology at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos, Prof. Larry Awosika, has predicted more flooding and erosion in Lagos this year.
Awosika, a Commissioner of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), stated this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He explained that because of the low level state of Lagos, with about three metres man sea level, rising sea level would overwhelm the metropolis during the rainy season.
“Climate change and concomitant sea level rise will inundate the low lying areas, thereby increasing flooding and coastal erosion.
“Coastal flooding and erosion associated with storm surges and inundation are the critical hazards Lagos will likely experience,” he said.
He said that the rise in sea level would increase the frequency of ocean surges and, therefore, urged residents to expect and prepare for more floods.
According to him this will cause the loss of ecotones with direct effects on wildlife distribution, survival and subsistence of local communities.
He said the rise in sea level would also affect fishery resources, migration and nutrient distribution patterns.
Awosika advised the Lagos State Government to urgently come up with effective flood management strategies.
“The state needs pragmatic flooding management strategies that can be easily implemented,” he said.
Such strategies, he said, included flood hazard mapping, flood-resistant design and construction and the enforcement of building codes and standards.
The Marine Geologist also recommended that government undertook post-disaster damage investigations, maintained coastal setback, and embark on beach management plans and beach nourishment.
Awosika said it was also imperative that building foundations in the state be raised above astronomical high tide levels.
He noted that the state was in dire need of drainage channels with enough drainage heads.
He urged the government to intensify public education and training outreach programmes on storm water management.