…Gives 48hrs notice to owners of buildings on drainage alignment at Sangotedo
The Lagos State Government, on Sunday, reiterated that the 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 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 was to ascertain the state of some drainage channels with a 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. Mahmood Adegbite, visited Aladelola Street in Ikosi-Ketu, where some individuals had cut the supporting iron under the culvert, which resulted into the collapse of the channel, adding that the State Public Works will cordon off the road to effect repairs.
The team also visited Victory Estate collector, Ago Palace Way, where some unscrupulous individuals blocked water path and canals and engaged in illegal sand filling and selling. The Commissioner disclosed that that an enforcement team had earlier been sent, 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 distortions on these canals and roads by some individuals, which have been causing flooding in the area,” he said.
Wahab said the ministry has strengthened its Drainage Enforcement activities in order to ensure due diligence concerning all drainage channels and restoring Right of Ways on all channels while it continued 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,” he warned.
