Environment
THE Lagos State Government says it is committed to addressing major flooding challenges on the mainland with the removal of structures blocking the free flow of water under its system one drainage channel midstream.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos when he led management team of the ministry to the enforcement sites.
Wahab said that the System one drainage channel was established in 1974 and it is the biggest and widest Primary Channel that defloods the major parts of the mainland cutting across Ogudu, Ojota, Ifako, Gbagada and Maryland.
He added that the flyover bridge coming from Odo Iya-Aloro would cut across these areas.
According to him, the visit to the enforcement sites became necessary to ascertain the level of compliance by property owners and extent of work done.
Wahab stressed that the government had been having discussions with property owners and residents since 2021 and the conversation ended in November 2023.
The commissioner said that contravention notices had been served to owners of buildings lying within the 140 metres of System one since 2021.
“We found out that people have gone back to encroach on the right- of -way and alignments.
“Since 2021, we have been engaging the home-owners and residents where government has been notifying them of impending enforcement without which we cannot abate flooding,” Wahab said.
He explained that property owners whose buildings fall within the approved 140 meters Right -of -Way of the channel had been given the option of voluntary compliance for almost three years running.
He added that the government also discovered that while contravention notices had been served and dialogue on way forward was being explored, some of the property owners continued with the construction of new buildings that surfaced in the areas now.
He explained that the property owners/ residents affected were advised for about three years to voluntarily remove the contravening structures before the state government officials commenced the enforcement but were foot dragging.
He noted that the conversation ended officially in November 2023 when they were asked to come forward with their documents and approvals and we found out that most of them do not have any.
The commissioner said that careful observation showed that all the structures on the System one Right -of Way- have no valid documents from the government as such all the structures will have to be removed.
He said that the original dimension was 140 meters before the alignment, but added that the State government was willing to put a human face to the enforcement process.
Wahab appealed to Lagos residents to respect the state Drainage Master Plan to avoid property demolition.
He, however, insisted that there was no going back on the decision of the state to enforce the law and reclaim the drainage setbacks following the expiration of the notices issued.
He advised residents to always visit necessary government agencies when doing their land searches especially the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to get their drainage clearance.
He said that such due diligence would prvent them from running fowl of the law.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr kunle Rotimi-Akodu remarked that the government was determined to find a realistic solution to the issue of flash flooding in every parts of the state.
According to him, the world has changed and everyone must put in place various measures to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming and other environmental issues confronting human existence.
The commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the Permanent Secretary , Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen;
Others included the PS Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; Managing Director, LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin and the General Manager, LASPARK, Mrs Adetoun Popoola.
Also on the entourage were the General Manager, LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi; General Manager, Lagos Wastewater Management Office, LASWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi and some directors.
The team also visited Okota, Faseun Bridge System 6E, off Ago Palace Way as the ministry is set to commence major maintenance and dredging to curb flooding and proffer lasting solution to waste that usually got stuck under the bridge.
F.A
April 29, 2024
Tags: flood LASG System 1 drainage
