15th March, 2020
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has urged Lagosians to desist from dumping their wastes into the drainage channels in order to avoid flooding as rain commences.
The Deputy Governor made the call on Sunday during an inspection tour of some drainage systems across the state as part of efforts by the state government to prepare for the rainy season.
Hamzat, while disclosing that the Sanwo-Olu administration has awarded contracts for the clearing and desilting of the drainages across the State, explained that the tour was to ascertain their current state.
He stated that though the drainages were interconnected, waste dumping had clustered them hindering their proper functioning.
While berating the improper and indiscriminating ways of dumping waste, the Deputy Governor stressed the need for Lagosians to ensure that they dump their waste properly, adding that the drainage systems were to pave way for free flow of water and not for dumping refuse.
He added that the state government, as part of effort to curtail flooding would ensure that it cleaned up the drainages, and urged people to take ownership of the canals because without them everywhere will be flooded.
He said “the rain will surely come, earlier than what it used to be as the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has told us and the water must have it channels, the government has created canals, the Ministry of Environment and Water resources are working tirelessly and the citizens also need to do their part.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor has directed the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) to seal up a residential building under construction on Lawanson road, Itire which was previously sealed by the agency.
The said construction had truckload of sand and stone dumped on the road contrary to the law.
On the entourage of the Deputy Governor on the inspection were the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage Services and Water Resource, Mr. Joe. Igbokwe; the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Service, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde and other official of the Ministry.
Some of the sites visited are Ijora Badia Channel, Doyin-Moshalasi Channel, Orile, System 5 Channel, Babs Animashaun, Surulere; System 6, Itire; Ladipo Channel; Kushoro/Igbayilola Collector Drain, among others.