WE REMAIN RESOLUTE IN OUR QUEST FOR FLOOD FREE STATE – LASG
… As Commissioner lnspects Contravention Sites
The Lagos State Government on Sunday reiterated that the present administration remains resolute in the quest to make Lagos and the metropolis flood free.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab made the statement in an interview after an extensive inspection tour to various contravention sites, adding that government would continue to enforce the law while reclaiming drainage setbacks.
Wahab said the inspection team, led by him, was out for the normal routine to ascertain the state of some drainage channels with the hindsight that most flooding issues are majorly caused by negative human activity.
The Commissioner, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services Gaji Omobolaji and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services Engr Mahamood Adegbite, visited Aladelola Street in Ikosi – Ketu where some criminally-minded individuals had cut the supporting iron under the Culvert which caused the collapse of the channel, adding that the state public works office will cordon the road off and repairs will commence immediately.
The team also visited Victory Estate collector, Ago Palace Way, where some upscrupulous individuals blocked water paths and canals and engaged in illegal sandfilling and Selling, the Commissioner mentioned that an enforcement team had earlier been sent, noting that the visit was to check enforcement and compliance level.
“We are here as a result of a written petition by residents complaning 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”, he said.
During the team’s visit to Sangotedo by Lagos Business School (LBS), the Commissioner said there is a natural stream that is supposed to discharge into System 63 and from there to Omu Creek which has been blocked and reduced by illegal structures built along the channel, adding that a 48 hours contravention notice has been served to owners of buildings lying within the channels.
While explaining the process of serving contravention notices, Wahab said property owners whose buildings and fences fall within drainge channels will first be served a 48 hours notice followed by another 14 days notice before the commencement of enforcement. He added that the government would commence full enforcement after the expiration of all notices with an the option of voluntary compliance.
The team was also at Ajiran Primary Channel, Chevron Drive to ascertain the level of the ongoing dredging while at Ilabere Collector at old Ikoyi, the team observed that there is encroachment on the alignment and the fences will be removed in the next few days. He explained 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 past and present governments”, he said.