Agency says it has received no official directive on compensation as NEMA completes damage assessment across flood-hit communities in Lagos

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) says it has not received any official directive regarding the provision of Lagos Flood Relief materials or compensation for residents whose homes, businesses and valuables were affected by recent flooding across parts of the state.

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The clarification was made on Thursday by LASEMA’s spokesperson, Afolabi Olawale, following growing calls from affected residents for government assistance after heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding in several communities.

“As of now, there is no official statement. As you’re talking now, there is no official communication to disseminate on that issue. When it is available, we will disseminate it,” Olawale said.

His comments came after the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with LASEMA, completed a joint assessment of communities affected by the flooding to determine the scale of destruction and identify the immediate humanitarian needs of victims.

The assessment covered flood-affected areas in Alimosho, Ikeja, Kosofe and Lagos Island local government areas.

Emergency officials visited communities including Oke-Ira in Ikeja, Oworonshoki and Gbagada in Kosofe, as well as Idumagbo Avenue and Jankara on Lagos Island to evaluate the impact of the disaster.

According to NEMA, the assessment found that prolonged rainfall, combined with inadequate drainage infrastructure, caused extensive flooding that affected homes, businesses and public facilities.

The agency said the flooding damaged household belongings and commercial assets, disrupted economic activities, temporarily blocked several roads and forced some residents to leave their homes.

As part of the exercise, emergency officials also sensitised residents on flood prevention measures, emphasising proper waste disposal and the regular clearing of drains, canals and stormwater channels to improve water flow during heavy rains.

NEMA stated that its findings would be forwarded to the appropriate government authorities to support decisions on possible interventions for affected communities.

The agency also urged residents to refrain from dumping refuse into drainage channels and to avoid activities capable of obstructing the natural flow of stormwater, warning that blocked drains remain a major contributor to urban flooding.

The latest update follows Sunday’s flooding, during which residents in several parts of Lagos reported significant losses after torrential rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems.

Some victims said household property was destroyed, vehicles were damaged and businesses suffered heavy losses after floodwaters inundated streets.

Others reported that a section of a perimeter fence collapsed onto a major road during the incident, worsening the disruption.

Several affected residents have appealed to the Lagos State Government to provide relief materials or financial assistance to help them recover from the losses.

Also read: Lagos building collapse: One dead, 10 rescued in Alakija

While Lagos Flood Relief has yet to be formally announced, the completion of NEMA’s damage assessment is expected to guide any intervention that may be approved by the relevant authorities.