LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin - ‘We remain resolute in our quest for a flood-free Lagos’
By Oyebola Owolabi
Lagos State government has issued a 14-day removal notice to owners of buildings and structures on drainage channels at Sangotedo, Lekki and Okota, Isolo
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab gave the notice at the weekend after an inspection tour to various contravention sites and ongoing drainage enforcement projects at Ago Palace Way, Isolo, Sangotedo, Lekki and Ikoyi areas of the state.
Wahab stressed that government remains resolute in its quest to make the metropolis flood-free.
“The era of environmental indiscipline and nuisance are over in Lagos. We will not shy away from enforcing all relevant laws irrespective of whose ox is gored,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the team was on routine checks to ascertain the state of some drainage channels and ensure compliance with setbacks and alignments, knowing well that most flooding issues are caused by detrimental human activities.
Areas visited included Isolo, Ikoyi, Lekki, among others. The commissioner was accompanied by top officials of the ministry and other heads of agencies under the ministry.
The team visited Aladelola Street in Ikosi-Ketu, where a channel had collapsed because the supporting iron under the culvert had but cut. The commissioner said the public works office will cordon the road off and repairs will begin immediately.
At Victory Estate collector in Ago Palace Way, Okota, where unscrupulous elements had blocked water path and canals, engaged in illegal sand filling and selling, Wahab noted that an enforcement team was sent earlier to check the status earlier.
“We are here following a written petition by residents of distortions to the canal and roads by some individuals which has been causing flooding.” he said.
At 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 have been served to owners of buildings lying within the channels.
The team was also at Ajiran Primary Channel, Chevron Drive, to ascertain the level of ongoing dredging project. “We are building a new alignment to allow for free flow of water in this axis’, he noted.”
At Ilabere Collector, old Ikoyi, the commissioner said the fences will be removed following encroachment on the alignment.
“Government is fixing a major infrastructure around Ilabere because 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.
“Climate change is real and there is cholera outbreak again. We must know that all these things are interwoven; we must all be responsible and responsive as a people. We cannot continue to brazenly abuse the environment and expect that there will be no consequences,” Wahab said.
He appealed to residents to always take ownership of their environment, desist from illegal waste disposal, construction of buildings on drainage setbacks/Right of Way, and say something whenever they notice an infraction so that the environment can remain habitable and safe for all.
The commissioner was accompanied by top officials of the ministry and heads of MDAs in the ministry.
