Now that the rains are here, the Lagos State Government has dedicated subsequent editions of the statewide environmental sanitation exercises, more to the cleaning of drains and canals across the state, and other environmental nuisances. According to the Commissioner for the Environment, Lagosians are implored to come out in large numbers on Saturday May 25th, 2013, to clean drains in their frontage and canals nearest to their homes in order to combat flooding in the State. This became necessary in view of meteorologist forecast that the state is to experience rains of high intensity and severe thunderstorm across the state.
As we are all aware, Lagos is a Coastal City that has high water table content and prone to flooding, whenever it rain, as such, we must be prepared to reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of flooding in the State. He recalled that last year, several States in Nigeria experienced serious flood disaster, but with the help of God and concerted effort of the State Government, Lagos did not record any serious disaster.
The target of the state this year is to sustain this record, which can only be achieved through effective collaboration of the people. The Commissioner for the Environment warned residents who still patronize cart pushers to desist from this illegal act, but rather dispose their waste through LAWMA/PSP Operators. He however advised that as much as the state is committed towards ensuring that our canals and channels are cleaned at all times, Lagosians should desist from dumping waste into canals in order to attain a flood free Lagos. He therefore advised entire residents of the state, to ensure their environment is kept clean at all times and free from storm water stagnation, which could also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and lead to other health hazards. Human and vehicular movement will be restricted between 7:00am-10:00am as usual, while commercial bus operators and inter-state transport operators are warned to keep their vehicles off Lagos roads, as offenders will be prosecuted according to the State Sanitation Laws.
He further assured that Law Enforcement Agencies including Nigerian Police and officials from LAWMA, LASTMA and KAI have been fully mobilized to enforce the non-restriction of movement order and warned that offenders will be prosecuted according to the State Sanitation Laws.
SOURCE: Public Affairs Department