The Lagos State Government on Saturday reiterated that the Government won’t relent in its effort until an holistic solution is found to the issue of flooding across the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab made this known during an inspection tour to system 1 drainage channel midstream (Odo Iya Alaro) Arowojobe Estate and Mende Villa Estate, Maryland section to find an alternative solution to the on going enforcement along the the system 1 corridor.
He explained that the System 1 drainage channel midstream (Odo Iya Alaro) cut across Ogudu, Ojota, Ifako, Gbagada, Maryland and Ojota is originally 140metres while property owners and residents on the corridor have reduced the size drastically but the government had put human face to it by reducing drainage to 100 metres.
He added that since the original dimension was 140meters for the drainage 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 100 metres in all to mitigate the enforcement exercise.
He stressed that with will not be demolished added that government gave one week break to the enforcement exercises and ask a government surveyour to reconfirm the bickering and fly a drone in the affected areas along the System 1 corridor in order not to touch the order buildings.
He stressed the government has been fair by ensuring that 85% of the buildings affected won’t be demolish as such the government gave one week break to the enforcement exercises and ask a government surveyour to reconfirm the bickering and also fly a drone in the affected areas along the System 1 corridor.
He explained that the System 1 was established in 1974 and it is the biggest and widest Primary Channel that defloods the major parts of the mainland which cut across Ogudu, Ojota, Ifako, Gbagada, Maryland adding that the flyover bridge coming from Odo Iyaloro will cut across these areas.
He emphasized that the Government had been having discussions with property owners / residents since year 2021 and the conversation ended in November 2023 stating that contravention notices have been served to owners of buildings lying within the 140 metres of System 1 since year 2021.
He said the residents of Mende Villa Estate are affected and also have some government confidential documents with them saying this is a serious criminal offence.
According to the Commissioner, Flooding, noise pollution, and the unlawful blockage of drainage channels represent critical challenges that has negative impact to the lives of our citizens that must be tackled in order to have an aesthetic environment
The team also visited Nigeria Social Insurance building situated at Ikoyi, three blocks of twelve floors each, the commissioner said following the complaints of residents, the abandoned building served as a major risk to the environment because it is an hideout for miscreants.
He said the building is a major risk to the state and constitute serious environmental nuisance to the society as there are no good sanitary activities there as such the occupants will be
dislodge on Monday.
“I will like to reiterate that Lagos is a coastal state and there will always be flash floods for few hours when it rains. We should know that the world has changed and everyone must put in place various measures to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming and other environmental issues confronting human existence.
According to him, Together, we can mitigate these environmental issues and restore the serenity and orderliness of our state, please always leave 15 metres setback when building your property to avoid any future occurrence.
The Commissioner accompanied by the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi -Akodu ,Permanent Secretaries , Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen; Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; MD LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, General Manager, LASWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi and some Directors.
The commissioner maintained that the government remains resolute as the Apogbon, Obalende, Dolphin, Ijora Under bridges have been dislodged it will extend to the other parts of the state .
All the places visited include, Arowojobe estate Maryland, Ajose Street Maryland, Nigeria Social Insurance building, Ikoyi, Dolphin under bridge amongst other places.
Signed
Kunle Adeshina
Director (Public Affairs)
MOE&WR
May 4, 2024