Lagos State Government has announced plans to collaborate with the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) team to explore avenues for sustainable urban interventions in the metropolis.

The state’s Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the ACRC team to his office at Alausa.

He said that the collaboration would enhance the commitment to foster inclusive urban transformation and resilience in Lagos State. Wahab expressed gratitude to the team for selecting Lagos State as one of the five cities in the continent for the project.

He said that the only state bordering Lagos is Ogun State, which is why many water projects in Lagos State are located in Ogun State to ensure a clean water source.

Besides, he stated that Lagos is below sea levels, making it susceptible to climate change risks, such as excessive rainfall and heat, adding that the rising sea levels during heavy rains cause flash flooding when storm water cannot discharge into the lagoon or the Atlantic.

He, therefore, reiterated the state government’s commitment to removing structures built on stormwater parts of wetlands to allow proper discharge.

Responding, the Senior Management Team Head of Programme Delivery, African Cities Research (ACRC) Consortium, University of Manchester, Irene Vance, expressed appreciation for collaborating with the state to address urban challenges. She emphasised the importance of working with subnational governments to improve security, transportation, water, sanitation, health, and nutrition.

Meanwhile, following the recent notice from the Federal Government about Lagos State experiencing flood this year, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Oluwafemi Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu, has assured Lagos residents of government’s preparedness to address flood situation in the state.

Osanyintolu, who spoke during a visit to Ikeja Local Council Secretariat, yesterday, said: “We received alert from the Federal Government that Lagos is prone to flood. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has taken ownership and provided the political will for the safety and management of disasters in the state.

On his part, Vice Chairman of the council, Yomi Musbau Mayungbe, pledged total collaboration with the state’s agency to ensure that communities in the council are flood-free.