…step-up monitoring of drainage infrastructure across metropolis

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to permanently address the menace of flash flooding and reclaim the environment from all sorts of infractions across the metropolis, even as it served abatement notices to violators.

The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated this on Wednesday, while addressing the media after an inspection tour round some drainage projects at the Eti Osa Local Government Area, reiterating that “it is a task that must be accomplished without delay, no matter whose ox is gored.”

The team which included: the Permanent Secretaries, Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji and that of Drainage Services, Engr Mahamood Adegbite, visited the on going Orchid Road/Royal Pine Estate Secondary Collector Construction where the state and residents have reached an agreement on how to mitigate the damages that may arise from addressing the System 156/ 157 in corridor aimed to permanently deflood the area and environs.

He added that for the past few months state officials had negotiations with residents and home owners along System 156 and 157, which contravened the drainage by obliterating system 156 and have been given two options; either to remove the contraventions and allow system 156 to discharge into Ikota River through 157, or they come up with a practicable design which will be funded by the residents as a middle ground.

The team also visited Ikota GRA (System 44A) to check out the Bill of Quantity (BOQ) prepared by residents to have a middle ground following massive infractions for the construction of a Secondary Collector by the residents.

Wahab explained that the construction would commence in the first week of January 2025 under the supervision of the Ministry’s engineers after the deposit of the required sum in an escrow account in the next four weeks which will demonstrate seriousness.

“The Residents and home owners agreed and signed an agreement with the government. Also, they agreed to deposit the money into Escrow account in the next four weeks and also because construction workers go on break by December, so they will start the project themselves first week of January 2025,” he said

He explained that the System 1 was created in 1974 and it is the biggest and widest Primary Channel that defloods the major parts of the mainland and cut across Ogudu, Ojota, Ifako, Gbagada, Maryland, adding that the flyover coming from Odo Iyaloro will pass across these areas.

The Commissioner added that the original dimension was 140meters for the drainages but the State government is willing to put a human face to the enforcement process by moving 60 metres to Ogudu/Maryland section and 40 metres to Ogudu/Odo Iyaloro section which makes it 100 metres.

The team also visited Onikoyi Waterfront/LASWMO Office: Lekki Modular Septage Pretreatment Plant (MSPP) where illegal dredging activities is going on without Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, storm water designs and drainage clearance documents, where Wahab said that all the operators will be served immediate Stop Work Order.

The commissioner said the team had to visit the Coastal Road(Kuramo Section) which is very strategic to Victoria Island in order to ensure the axis is prevented from encroachment and a removal of all shanties in the axis.

According to him, Lagos Government has had conversation with the contractors handling the coastal road, that they must allow the outlet to discharge water into the Atlantic.

“So we came inspect that and also give the squatters a notice to vacate so we can clean up the neighborhood,” he stated.

Wahab, who said it has become necessary for the government to remove the shanties maintained that “it is compulsory for government to ensure the well-being of residents at all cost which ranges from health infrastructure to road infrastructure amongst others.”

He however, said that the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang, EFAG, engages in the clean up of secondary drains and manholes in the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas all year round which has lead to minimal flash floods in 2024.