…..As
Commissioner, S.A, Perm Secs visit drainage channels and flood prone areas
The Lagos State on Thursday reassured residents of the state that measures are
already in place to address the challenges posed by incessant rainfall as
witnessed in the state in the last three days, as the various flood abatement
gangs continue to clean and maintain the channels.
Speaking with the media in a chat after an unscheduled inspection of some of
the major drainage systems, the State Commissioner for The Environment and
Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello and Special Adviser on Drainage and Water
Resources, Engineer Joe Igbokwe said residents should be rest assured that
irrespective of the volume of the rainfall, it would flow through the
drains to discharge into the various channels.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser
on Drainage and Water Resources, Engineer Joe Igbokwe advised Lagosians to
remain calm and not panic as the rainfall currently being experienced in Lagos
State is a natural outcome of climate change and has been predicted by the
Nigerian Metrological services.
He stated that Lagos being a coastal state will usually experience flash-flood,
which is expected to disappear after a few hours without any negative and
attendant loss of lives and properties, maintaining that the state is working
round the clock to ensure that all the drains already cleared are not clogged
up again.
The Commissioner reminded the people of the Executive Order signed by the
Governor on zero tolerance for indiscriminate dumping of refuse, warning
against acts that could aggravate flooding such as indiscriminate dumping of
refuse in the drains as well as erecting structures on drainages lines and
alignments.
He stated that while relevant government agencies are on red alert for any
unforeseen incident, residents must be vigilant and promptly report cases
of indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels and unauthorized
places as well as other incidents of drainage blockage to the relevant
government agencies.
Bello also advised Lagosians to be safety conscious during this period, urging
them to take some safety measures such as avoid going out during the rains
except when absolutely necessary and be conscious when driving and not
over-speed.
He stressed that Lagosians residing along flood plains and low-lands should be
at alert and be ready to move for safety whenever the need arises stating that
the Lagos State Government would continue to intensify efforts at
containing flood in the State, while painstakingly maintaining all
primary, and secondary channels from time to time.
The two Permanent Secretaries of the
Office of Environmental Services, Mrs Ronke Odeneye and Office of Drainage
Service and Water Resources, Engineer Lekan Shodeinde and directors in the
ministry also visited areas known to be flood prone areas.
Signed
Adekunle Adeshina
AD Public Affairs
19th September ,2019