This was disclosed in a statement on X.com by the State commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on X.com Sunday.
The statement revealed ongoing extensive inspections to intensify the ministry’s efforts on flood control in the state.
The statement reads, “Earlier today, I led the management team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources on an extensive inspection tour of enforcement projects in Isolo, Ago Palace Way, Lekki, Ikoyi, and other areas prone to flood and where there are drainage contraventions.
“While reiterating the Babajide Sanwoolu-led administration’s commitment to making Lagos and the metropolis flood-free, we gave an additional 48hrs vacation notice to owners of buildings on drainage alignment at System 63B – Sangotedo to allow the government to reclaim the drainage setbacks.
“We also went around the State to ascertain the state of some drainage channels with hindsight that most flooding issues are majorly caused by negative human activity. ”
According to the statement, the commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr Mahamood Adegbite, whom they visited several areas of collapsed drainage channels in the Ikosi-Ketu area of the state.
“Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services Gaji Omobolaji and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services Engr Mahamood Adegbite visited Aladelola Street in Ikosi – Ketu where some individuals had cut the supporting iron under the culvert thereby leading to the collapse of the channel.”
The team visited several collectors to uphold proper maintenance of the infrastructure and to prevent further environmental hazards.
“The team also visited Victory Estate collector, Ago Palace Way, to check the level of enforcement and compliance initially initiated in the area where some unscrupulous individuals blocked water paths and canals and engaged in illegal sandfilling and selling.
“Also at Sangotedo by Lagos Business School (LBS) where 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, 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 the ongoing dredging. It is also important to note that there is construction of a new alignment for the free flow of water in the axis.
“At Ilabere Collector at old Ikoyi, the team observed that there is an encroachment on the alignment and the fences will be removed in the next few days. The government is fixing a major infrastructure around Ilabere and if the collector is not properly handled, the infrastructure will be destroyed.”
“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. We cannot continue to brazenly abuse the environment and expect that there will be no consequences.”
