LASG Vows to Continue to Upgrade, Build Resilient Infrastructure to Prevent Flash Flooding

 

The Lagos State Government on Sunday reiterated its commitment to continue to upgrade  and build resilient drainage infrastructure to prevent flooding incidents across the  State.

 

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated this on Sunday.

 

Wahab spoke during interviews with newsmen after an assessment tour to check the progress of work  on the Lagos Island regeneration project, ongoing drainage projects at Onikoyi Banana island and Femi Pedro Avenue in Park View Estate,

 

He said that when the urban regeneration project is completed, it will address the flooding issues in the whole of Lagos Island and environs.

 

“We came to Lagos Island  to see the level of compliance and the level of work that is being done by Ministry of the Environment and Water Resouces, Ministry of Works and infrastructure as well as LASURA in respect to the regeneration Projects of Lagos Island and we are happy with the pace at which the project is going” he said.

 

Wahab also checked the ongoing projects (Secondary Collector drain lining) around Gorodom Market expressing satisfaction with the level of work that had been done.

 

Wahab alongside his team also visited Ikoyi following investigations around Turnbull/ Banana Island Road which has been prone to flash flooding saying the investigations  observed there was a blocked underground culvert around the Shoreline  off Turnbull entrance.

 

“The last heavy rain affected Banana Island Road into Turnbull and we have did remedial work and carried out an upgrade of the Infrastructure” he said.

 

According to him, the level of development on Banana Island Road has overwhelmed the tertiary drains in place; Government may have to make one of them a secondary collector so it can discharge Shoreline and Banana Island Road into the collector at Mojisola Onikoyi then into the Lagoon.

 

The team also checked two other locations which is Underbridge Idumagbo and under the third Mainland bridge, along Oja Oba Street off Adeniji Adele Road where enforcements had  earlier been carried out but it was observed that the Traders are back ordering they vacate the places immediately.

 

He mentioned  government never wanted to disrupt  traders economic activities adding that they had been warned not to sell under major infrastructure but they are recalcitrant and continued to engage in commercial activities under the bridge.

 

He explained that the Idumagbo under  bridge was cleared of illegal structures earlier in the year but the traders were allowed to do their trading in the way that it will not impede on the flow and the aesthetics of that area.

 

According to him, when you want to trade under a major infrastructure, we have to be very careful It becomes the case of the chicken and the egg. which comes first; Do we put that commercial interest over safety, environment and security interests.

 

He said if the traders wish to come back, the process has to be regulated and not under the bridges saying If anything happens the people will judge Government for abandoning its  responsibility forgetting that the the citizens also have responsibilities.

 

“We are saying we won’t disrupt your lifestyle, your commercial activities, but in a very organized way, you can do your trading. But what we met there today, is not organized. So we are going to close the space and ask for a layout on how they want you want organize themselves”.

 

He mentioned that some individuals had shown interest to transform under the bridges into parks and LASPARK had given them the design to go  work with saying it is compulsory for traders to leave the places immediately and  the place will be condone off.

 

Wahab and the team proceeded to Parkview Estate to assess the on going drainage projects which is expected to  drain storm water from Femi Pedro Avenue into the Lagoon adding that the contractor is expected to wrap up within the next 90days.

 

“We had to come so we can see for ourselves the level of work and see what the contractors has done over time;  we are satisfied with this major project which is a discharging point for Parkview” he added.

 

He stressed that Lagos being a coastal state is exposed to the vagaries of Climate Change such as sea level rise, excessive heat and excessive rainfall saying Government must mitigate by not allowing human element to with indiscipline block the drainage infrastructure.

 

Also speaking with newsmen after the tour, a former Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro expressed great appreciation to the government for the upgraded drainage infrastructure in Parkview Estate.

 

He said the secondary Collector Drains at Parkview (Olufemi Pedro Avenue and Agodogba Estate) are much bigger and deeper now as such flooding issues would become a thing of the past in the area.

 

“Residents of Parkview Estate should be rest assured that this project would proffer lasting solution to flooding in this area when delivered in 3months time, we, the residents too would ensure we take ownership of it”.

 

The team included the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi – Akodu: Permanent Secretary, office of Drainage Services, Engr Mahamood Adegbite;

 

General Manager, LASEPA; Dr. Tunde Ajayi; General Manager, LASWMO, Engr Adefemi Afolabi, and Directors from the Ministry and its Agencies.

 

The places visited include Oroyinyin, Under Third Mainland Bridge along Oja – Oba Street off Adeniji Adele Road, Idumagbo underbridge, Gorodom Market, Shoreline Estate Collector drain, Onikoyi / Banana Island Road Collector Drain, Parkview Estate (Femi Pedro Collector / Agodogba Collector Drain).