LASG maintain Focus on Drainage Maintenance

The Lagos State Government reiterated over the weekend that, in order to permanently address the threat of flooding in the State, drainage and canal maintenance will continue to be its top priorities.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, spoke to reporters following an inspection tour of several locations in Ikoyi, including the State House and Dodan Barracks. He expressed satisfaction with the state of the drainages at the Dodan Barracks Mammy market.

He clarified that the state government was now extremely concerned about the problem of ongoing flooding in that axis. He expressed his satisfaction with the level of compliance and ongoing work around the State House on Dodan Barracks/Norman Williams Corridor, saying that the government had done a great job of clearing out the annoyances that were obstructing the collector’s canals and waterways.

The Commissioner visited Shoreline Estate, Onikoyi Estate, Park View, and Banana Island with Engr. Mahmood Adegbite, Director of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance. The Commissioner noted that most of the structures in the aforementioned areas did not adhere to the standard three metres required by law for the setback of secondary collector drains.

In line with his statement, “We will generously accept the 2.5 metre drainage setback, which is smaller than the three metre required by law, as our investigations have shown that the first property situated along Onikoyi/Banana Island collector situated inside Onikoyi Estate left 2.5 metre for the drainage setback.”

He declared that property owners along the Shoreline Estate/Onikoyi Estate/Park View/Banana Island collector corridor whose properties are within the channel setback would receive an instant notice of violation from the Ministry.

Before the start of enforcement, Wahab encouraged residents and property owners to move the fences on their own. He threatened to charge property owners for the additional costs if they didn’t comply and let the government use tax payer money.

The team also went to Banana Island, where the Ford Foundation’s street housing was flooded. There, they heard complaints from the Estate, and they resolved to find a long-term solution to the flooding problems in the area.