By Kingsley Adegboye

The senators who are mainly from the Action Congress of Nigeria, can, were led by former Benue state governor, Mr. George Akume.

Senator Akume told newsmen that because of the special status of Lagos as the commercial nerve centre and former capital of Nigeria, the State should be given enhanced allocation from the ecological fund.

Akume who said the senators were on a condolence visit to Lagos and to assess the level of damage done by the flood, added that “calamities cannot be eliminated as long as we live but can be controlled”.

‘’We are here to assess the situation and find a way of assisting Lagos State”, he said. The team leader said they would write a persuasive report on their findings which will be submitted at the floor of the senate.

The Senators representing Lagos State had earlier visited the flooded areas before President Jonathan visited penultirepresenting Lagos East said that the visit was necessary to see the level of damage which will enhance their presentation at the floor of the senate. He stated that “the report of the visiting senators would be encompassing, taking into the roads into cognizance”.

Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon added that the issue has been discussed on the floor of the senate as it relates to the deplorable state of the road, “a situation where motorists spend whole day should not be acceptable by anybody” he said.

“The Federal Government disburses the ecological fund and it is our duty to tell them where the fund is necessary, Lagos is the economic nerve centre of the country and former capital territory”.

On her part, Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that every Nigeria is a stakeholder in Lagos. “We should move beyond politics and do what is right for our people, President Jonathan has seen it himself, he is a listening president but we want the Federal Government to respond very soon,” she said.

Former Anambra State Governor, Senator Chris Ngige representing Anambra Central declared that Lagos is more sensitive than all other flood cases. “Lagos is the economic hub of the country.

The damage is colossal, we need to come and see what is happening ourselves, the degree of damages and bad roads most of which are Federal roads. We will ensure that Lagos is given special attention in the disbursement of ecological fund”.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services in Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Engr. Muyideen Akinsanya who took the senators round also lent his voice to the appeal for assistance from the Federal Government.

The sites visited included Old Abeokuta expressway, Elere Channel on old Abeokuta Expressway, Arigbanla channel downstream Okooba channel, Joshua street / Olanrewaju Adebayo street Ijegun, Second Rainbow and Kirikiri Junction along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.