The Lagos State Government on Sunday, June 23, 2024, reiterated its commitment to a flood-free state.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, stated this at the end of an extensive inspection tour to various contravention sites and drainages across the state.
Wahab said that the government would continue to enforce the law, while reclaiming drainage setbacks.
He said the inspection team was out on a normal routine to ascertain the state of some drainage channels across the state bearing in mind that most flooding issues were majorly caused by negative human activity.
The commissioner and his team visited Aladelola Street in Ikosi-Ketu where some individuals had cut the supporting iron under the culvert leading to the collapse of the channel.
He said the state public works office would cordon the road off and commence repairs immediately.
The team also visited Victory Estate collector, Ago Palace Way, where some unscrupulous individuals blocked water path and canals and engaged in illegal sandfilling and selling.
He said that an enforcement team had earlier been sent there, adding that the visit was to check enforcement and compliance level.
“We are here as a result of a written petition by residents complaining about several distortions.
“There had been a lot of distortion on these canals and roads by some individuals which has been causing flooding in the area,” Wahab said.
At Sangotedo by the Lagos Business School, Wahab said there is a natural stream that is supposed to discharge into System 63 and from there to Omu creek.
According to him, the stream has been blocked and reduced by illegal structures built along the channel.
He said that a 48-hour contravention notice has been served to owners of buildings lying within the channels.
On the process of serving contravention notices, Wahab said property owners whose buildings and fences fall within drainage channels would first be served a 48-hour notice.
He said that the initial notice would be followed by another 14-day notice before the commencement of enforcement.
He said that the government would commence full enforcement after the expiration of all notices.
The team was also at Ajiran Primary Channel, Chevron Drive, to ascertain the level of the ongoing dredging of the channel.
He added that there was going to be the construction of a new alignment for free flow of water in the axis.
At Ilabere Collector at old Ikoyi, the team observed that there was an encroachment on the alignment and said that the fences would be removed in the next few days.
He said that the government is fixing a major infrastructure around Ilabere and if the collector is not properly handled, the infrastructure will be destroyed.
“Lagos despite its peculiarities as a coastal state with low-lying terrains and a high population density among others has remained afloat because of various measures put in place by the government,” Wahab said.
He explained that the ministry has strengthened its drainage enforcement activities in ensuring due diligence concerning all drainage channels and restoring Right-of-Ways on all channels.
He added that the ministry would continue its intense all-year-round clearing and cleaning of major primary and secondary drainage channels.
“I tell people climate change is real and there is a cholera outbreak.
“We must know that all these things are interwoven.
“We must all be responsible and responsive as a people, people cannot continue to brazenly abuse the environment and expect that there will be no consequences, Wahab said.
He appealed to the residents to always take ownership of their environment, desist from unwholesome act of illegal waste disposal, illegal construction of buildings on drainage, drainage setback and Right-Of-Way.
The commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretaries, Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen and Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite.
Others included the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin; General Manager, LASPARK, Mrs Toun Popoola; and the General Manager, LASEPA, Dr Tunde Ajayi, among others.
By Fabian Ekeruche
