Rainstorm Destroy Property Worth Millions In Lagos

NAN

Lagos – Rainstorm destroyed property worth millions of naira in Lagos on Sunday following an early morning downpour.

Correspondents, who monitored the situation, reports that property affected, included public and private buildings, churches, shops and mosques.

The rain which started at about 7:30 a.m. was accompanied with stormy wind that disrupted service in most churches in Ketu, Ojota, Somolu, Lagos Mainland, Oworonsoki, Oyingbo and Ebute Metta.

The other areas include Lagos Island, Ajegunle, Surulere, Mushin, Oshodi, Iganmu, Gbagada, Ikoyi, among others.

Checks revealed that the rainstorm collapsed the building housing the national studios and workshop of the National Gallery of Modern Art, National Theatre, Iganmu.

The building of the SS Mulumba and David Catholic Church, Lawanson, Surulere, was also affected by the rainstorm as its roof was blown off leading to the disruption of the Mass.

At Gbagada, an electricity pole fell on the Owonroshoki-Oshodi Expressway leading to gridlock while traffic officers were seen diverting vehicles.

The National Theatre Staff Mosque was also affected by the rain as part its fence collapsed and members were seen clearing the debris.

Mr Musa Yakubu, a member, attributed the damage to the poor quality of the block.

Yakubu, who decried the poor quality control measures in the country, told NAN that the authority of the mosque would use better materials for the rehabilitation.

Also, Apostle Gabriel Ayodele of Praying Brand, Saints Matthias New Church of Cherubim and Seraphin at Abule Nla, Oyingbo, said that rainstorm removed part of the church roof.

Mr Israel Monday of No. 55, Brickfield, Ebute Metta, said that he was woken up by the rainstorm which damaged the entire roof of his house and destroyed property worth N200,000.

Part of the roof of building housing the Tetrazzini Food Plc., National Theatre, Iganmu, was also destroyed.

Some buildings were also damaged on Apapa Road, Lagos, while score of houses were also affected at Goriola, Nosamu and Alayabiagba Streets in the Olodi-Apapa.

The roof of the officers’ quarters of the Otto Police Barracks in Lagos Mainland was blown off leaving the occupants stranded and their belongings scattered.

A female officer, who spoke on the conditions of anonymity said: “the saddest part of the situation is that this is a yearly occurrence but thank God no life was lost.”

“We are all stranded here with our children and our property, we don’t have anywhere to sleep.’’