By Kingsley Adegboye

Determined to reduce the perennial problem of flooding in the state to the barest minimum, the Lagos state government has also commenced the development of ten major channels in Lekki in Eti-Osa Local Government. These channels which include Ajiran channel would form the Lekki System Channels that would discharge into the lagoon.

Similarly, the government has embarked on the removal of structures obstructing drainage channels and canals across the state.

The obstructing structures are believed to be a major cause of flooding usually experienced in some parts of Lagos metropolis each time it rains heavily.

Some of the offensive structures which are mostly residential buildings were said to have either narrowed the drainage alignments or caused their total blockade.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello who inspected drainage channels in Eti-Osa, Somolu and Kosofe Local Government Areas of the state said it had become imperative to re-establish drainage alignments across the state and the only way to achieve it is by removing all structures obstructing them.

Demonlished building along drainge alignment in Somolu

The Commissioner who said it is not possible to have a free-flood Lagos, pointed out however that, the government’s efforts at getting rid of all structures obstructing drainage alignments is to ensure that flooding is reduced to the barest minimum.

He declared that no offensive structure irrespective of its stature or owner will be spared in the ongoing removal of obstructing structures along drainage channels and canals.

He enjoined prospective home owners to always check with the State Ministry of the Environment to ensure that their land do not obstruct drainage alignments.

“I urge prospective land buyers in the state to undertake due diligence and ensure that the land they are buying are free of encumbrances because the State Government would not tolerate the development of structures along its drainage channels. The drainage channels must be free to discharge into the lagoon without any obstruction”, the commissioners advised.

At Ajiran and Agungi in Lekki, some structures that were removed along drainage alignments include perimeter fence of a bank and buildings. Several structures on drainage alignments were also removed in Somolu, Bariga and Gbagada areas of the State.