By Kingsley Adegboye

The Lagos state government has decried the encroachment of its wetlands by residents of the metropolis. The government said such encroachments frustrate its efforts to conserve the green areas. The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello who spoke at the 2015 ministerial press briefing to mark the eighth year in office of Governor Babatunde Fashola, said the government is committed to the preservation of its wetlands because they help to prevent flooding.

Bello who recounted the Ministry’s efforts to minimise incidents of flooding in the state, disclosed that so far, the ministry has cleared over 75,273.62m length of drains located in different parts of the state. According to the commissioner, Lagos was able to attain a flood-free season last year because of alliance between it and the Nigeria Institute of Meteorology, NIMET as well as Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority.

Recalling what happened in 2011 when Lagos was submerged in flood due to water released from Ogun and Oyan rivers and the unprecedented rains of the year, the intensity of which combined to cause flooding round the whole state, Bello said “We are happy to report that through the special grace of God, our team of determined engineers and through the collective support and cooperation of Lagos residents, the state did not record any flood related disaster or major incidents of flooding last year”.

He noted that since then the government had kept its promise of a flood – free state through effective flood management. Bello stated that the m aintenance of a cordial working relationship with Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority contributed immensely to the de-flooding process and storm water management during the rainy seasons in the state. “Our resolve is also to attain a flood-free state through efficient management and preservation of its storm water through the deployment of innovative approach and strategies”.

According to him, new drainage projects have been completed in areas such as Lagos Island, Orile Agege, Ikorodu, Alapere, Kosofe, Abule-Egba, Agbado Oke-Odo, Ifako, Egbe-Idimu, Ijaiye, Somolu, Mushin, Itire, Ojo, Alimosho, Eti-Osa and Epe. Similarly, erosion control has been intensified in areas such as Agbado Oke–Odo, Igando, Ikotun, Ejigbo, Iju, Ikorodu, Agbowa–Ikosi, Suru-Lere,Akesan and Ipaja.