The Lagos State Government on Tuesday rallied experts in the engineering sector for inputs in the development of a secondary Drainage master plan in its efforts to reduce flooding issues in the State.
Addressing participants during a stakeholders workshop on Lagos State Secondary Drainage masterplan (Priority one) held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa. the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Mr Tokunbo Wahab said Government intends to develop an implementation strategy to reduce flooding.
Wahab accompanied by the Special Adviser on Environment Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Chairman House Committee on Environment Hon Lanre Afinni and Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services Engr. Lekan Shodeinde emphasized that Government and residents must collectively ensure that flood risks are managed in a sustainable, equitable and effective manner.
The Commissioner recalled that the first case of major flooding was recorded in year 2012/2013 and Government at that time was frontal in its approach adding that there has been improvements in the drainage system over the years.
“We will not restvon our oars, we shall continue to engage in all year round cleaning and infrastructural development to ensure that lagos is free of flooding” He said.
He mentioned that the world was experiencing global warming saying that even countries with the best infrastructure have in recent times been extending flooding.
While addressing participants the Special Adviser on Environment Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu stated that the Ministry has started the journey to find a lasting solution to the menace of flooding as such everyone’s opinion is welcomed
He stated that the meeting would create avenues on how better synergy can be created between the State and Local Governments, MDAs CDAs.
“If anyone in your area builds on drainages, right of way or set back, please get a video and send to the Ministry so that the culprit can be prosecuted; I promise that such person will be compensated and the culprit sanctioned” he said.
He said the Ministry appreciates the contribution of everyone adding that their inputs would be reflected before the next stakeholders engagement.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Olalekan Shodeinde noted that the first master plan was in the 70s and this became the guide for interventions in storm water management sector adding that water if not managed properly could become a menace.
He said the first master plan gave birth to another master plan in the year 2015 majorly for primary channels which are naturally existing cannals that are natural waterways to channel water into the lagoon stressing that there is need to have a master plan for the secondary collector drains.
He highlighted that the priority one project will cover
- Ikorodu, Kosofe, Eti-osa, Shomolu and
- Ibeju Lekki while the
- priority two project will cover Ajeromi, Ifelodun , Òjò
- Amuwon Odofin and
- Alimosho. Local Government
In his presentation the consultant from Pheman Peniel Consultant Ltd, Dr. Emmanuel Adeyemo said that the essence of the intervention is to reduce flooding and to manage flood risk in a sustainable, manner.
He said the intervention would also help the office of Drainage services to manage the future of drainage developmental and flood mitigation activities.
He reiterated that the masterplan is a 40years developmental plan from 2025 to 2065 where problematic areas has been identified especially the low lying area conditions as well as
alleviate negative impact of flooding to minimize health issues.
Participants at the workshop includes Former Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Local Government, Experts in the built and Engineering sector as well as other Stakeholders in the Environment.
Signed
Kunle Adeshina
Director Public Affairs
MOE&WR
November 7, 2023