- Pledges a clean and flood-free environment
- Tasks local governments on good market
The Lagos State Government on Thursday issued a 48-hour removal notice to traders and owners of illegal structures blocking drainage channels along Ereko, Oke-Arin, Idumota Markets, Lagos Island.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who gave the notice during an inspection tour of Lagos Island, also ordered the sealing off of a property under construction at Ereko Market area for dumping a heap of granite on the road, thereby obstructing the free flow of traffic, contrary to the state Environmental Law.
Wahab explained that the drainage channel, which serves to deflood the entire market area and its environs, has been blocked by squatters’ illegal activities and obstructive structures.
He stressed that the blockage has significantly contributed to the recent flooding in the area, which poses a serious threat to lives and property.
According to Wahab, “The drainage channels which de-floods Idumota and environs have been taken over by squatters who have constituted nuisance and security risks to the area and property owners who deliberately built to obstruct free-flow of water.
“This will be the third time we are visiting Lagos Island. The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, D. Obafemi Hamzat, has awarded the regeneration of the Lagos Island drainage system and road infrastructure. We also noticed one or two critical drainage systems for deflooding Lagos Island were not captured in that plan. So this morning, we had to come and look at the Olusi Bombata Collector and Alagbafo. What we saw we are not happy about.
“Shanties were erected along the length of the channel, and their activities blocked collectors that are supposed to carry stormwater into the channel, which resulted in the flooding experienced during the rainy season. How do we maintain the drainage system.? We have to stop it, and we are stopping it right away. And later we have to find a way to award the contract.”
He said several abatement notices had been served earlier, which necessitated the state government to remove the obstructive structures without further delay. He said the Government must take action to redress the various human activities that have totally blocked the drainage system.
Wahab reiterated that “ensuring a clean and flood-free environment is a major task to which the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed and will not relent in its efforts to achieve this.”
He reiterated that the Local Government is saddled with the responsibility of building a proper market for traders, adding that this is being carried out appropriately and advising traders to use designated markets properly.
Wahab, therefore, advised residents to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal and always bear in mind that climate change and global warming are real, enabling residents to always take ownership of infrastructure built for their benefit.
The commissioner maintained that following the expiration of the eviction notices, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources would be back by the weekend to begin removing the illegal structures to restore proper drainage and mitigate flooding in the area.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, advised traders to desist from blocking drainage channels, expressing regret that many of the earlier cleaned channels are being littered with refuse.
Akodu urged residents to always maintain the drainage channels, especially the tertiary ones, and to remember that the infrastructure has been provided with taxes remitted to the government.
Other members of the team were the Permanent Secretaries of the Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji, and the Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegeshin; the General Manager, Engr. Femi Afolabi; and some directors.