LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin Plans to reconstruct and regenerate major drains and collectors on Lagos Island began at the weekend with a visit by officials of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to inspect alignments for the affected drains and collectors.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab said the inspection was necessary to assess the situation preparatory to the project’s commencement.
According to Wahab, urban renewal across Lagos Island was necessary to address the flooding which threatens lives and properties in the area. He also lamented that human behavior and interaction overtime clogged the drainages, leading to it being reawarded for reconstruction.
He said: “This tour became necessary as the governor has re-awarded the regeneration of the total infrastructure of Lagos Island. We need to ensure the contractors are ready to start work, and see if the contract period can be abridged to reduce the delivery time to 18 months or less instead of the initial 24 months delivery timeline.”
The commissioner maintained that the government will continue to provide requisite infrastructure, but citizens must take ownership of these infrastructures with a mind that it is for the good of all.
“We will ramp up provision of resilient infrastructure and encourage people to take ownership, while government also takes ownership of the responsibility imposed by the statutes. Our people must remember that tax payers’ funds are deployed to build these infrastructures,” he added.
Wahab also restated that there is no going back on the ban on single-use plastics from January, saying littering especially with Styrofoam, has reduced, compared to when enforcement of the ban initially started.
The commissioner also said the ministry will, in the New Year, continue its advocacy for attitudinal change because ‘to experience change, our attitude towards the environment must also positively change’.
The commissioner also expressed satisfaction with the level of work on the pumping station projects at Ilubirin, saying the station will be energized for test running in the next 10 days.
He described the Ilubirin water pump project as ‘the most critical part of the regeneration process majorly to deflood Lagos Island and environs. All drainages in Lagos Island would discharge into the Lagoon through these pumps, and these measures would permanently curb flooding in the areas’.
Wahab explained that the Ilubirin project has three major pumps, two 500KVA generators, three control panels with a pumping capacity of three million litres of water every hour. He stressed that the project would be very beneficial to the community.
“All the equipments are now in place, and in 10 days or less, once the connection is completed, the outlet will be open for test running. This initiative will also compliment the urban regeneration efforts to deflood Lagos Island.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, described the urban regeneration of Lagos Island as the lasting solution to flooding in the area. He stressed that government will not relent in performing its responsibilities of maintaining a flood-free and clean environment.
Others in the team were Permanent Secretaries Omobolaji Gaji and Mahamood Adegbite; LAWMA Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, among others.
The team visited Bombata Multipurpose Market; Oroyinyin area; Princess Street, Isale Gangan; Aroloya Street; Idumagbo Street; Adeniji Adele Trapezoidial Canal; Epe Collector Drain along Adeniji Adele Road and Ilubirin.
