The Lagos State Government has become the first in Africa to implement the innovative SLAMDAM flood management solution at the Omojuwa Estate in Kosofe Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
SLAMDAM is an easily deployable water-filled flood barrier. This innovative project is implemented as part of the Adaptation Benefit Mechanism (ABM) Program by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) that aims to implement Innovative Solutions to Mitigate Flood Risks and Strengthen the Resilience to Climate Change-Induced Flooding at Community Level.
The project is designed to implement small-scale high-impact highly replicable climate change adaptation demonstration technique with a focus on the water sector in Nigeria.
The Brinker Consortium made up of Natural Eco Capital (Nigeria), Zephyr Consulting (Netherlands) and Slamdam BV (Netherlands) are the AfDB’s consultants implementing the project.
Speaking at the Omojuwa Estate formal flood-barrier equipment handover ceremony at the community, Engr. Tayo Fagbeku, Director Lagos State Drainage and Planning Services expressed delight at the development. “We decided to be the take on this project because we are not averse to innovative ideas that will be of benefit and contribute to the various solutions we have to manage floods in Lagos. The result of this pilot has been excellent and encouraging.”
Dr. Eugene Itua, MD Natural Eco Capital spoke. “This pilot started with Omojuwa Estate and Iponri communities in Lagos State. While Omojuwa is the first to the complete the process, Iponri will follow soon. The mobile flood barrier (SLAMDAM), and other associated equipments are being given free of charge by the AfDB. One interesting aspect of these whole solution is that water is being used to fight water.”
Omar Saleh, Project Lead Consultant & CEO Zephyr spoke about the project approach and objectives. Project location is selected through; field visits and hydrodynamic modeling software, followed by determining the deployment strategy and locations for the flood barrier and finally designing of the appropriate SLAMDAM-technology for the location. The project also developed and tested the ABM-methodology, which an innovative method to support rapid mobilization of funding to further scale-up climate adaptive measures such as SLAMDAM .
The objectives of the project are; to demonstrate the SLAMDAM-technology, being a mobile flood barrier, as an effective solution to adapt to climate change-induced floods; and to test the ABM-methodology in order to measure the certified benefits from SLAMDAM using a flood intelligence tool.
Charles Otabor, the community leader of Omojuwa Estate says, “We like the community approach of this project. Our Flood Response team as first responders has been trained. Moreover, hands-on demonstration of the technology has also taken place. We pledge to utilize these equipments appropriately for the benefit of our community, and the people of Lagos State.
A day earlier a stakeholder-workshop was held which had representatives from the state ministries of environment, transport, agriculture, Drainage, SDG office, Lagos Resilence office, and other relevant agenicies present.
At the federal level, ministry of environment, institutions and MDAs such as Unilag, NRC, NIMET, FIIRO, etc were present. Majority of which were also present at the Omojuwa handover ceremony.
Natural Eco Capital is a sustainability firm with a unique cutting edge to support organisations (Public and private) drive for more sustainable resilient business and economy.
Zephyr Consulting offers fully integrated climate adaptive solutions with a distinct focus on enhancing resilience against climate-induced flooding and drought.
SLAMDAM is the only manufacturer of a TUV-certified temporary dam in the world and was awarded the most effective solution against floods in 2018 in a Defense competition.
