The Lagos State Government on Wednesday restated that there is no going back on the enforcement of the law and restoration of all rights of way of all drainage channels across the state.
The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab reiterated the commitment during his visit to Isheri/ Aiyetoro / Ologe Primary Channel at Anuoluwapo / Oke – Odan Street Ishashi, Ojo Town; Alaba Rago Primary Channel (System 40B); Alaba International Market Primary channel (System 40), Ojo Local Government Area, adding that the government is determined to restore the environment from all sorts of infractions that has altered the landscape.
The Commissioner, accompanied by the Special Adviser Environment Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, Heads of Agencies and some Directors, noted that the government has awarded a contract on a restoration project in the axis to accomplish the task of making Lagos flood-free.
“The Governor has awarded the contract for the restoration of some critical projects on this axis around Ishashi Oke-Odan where we have witnessed people purposely building on the channel, and they have been served notices, so we have to start enforcement along with the contractor who is ready to move to site”, he said.
Wahab explained that all concerned had been served contravention notices, which have elapsed, and as such, enforcement of separation of contravention will commence tomorrow (Thursday).
He said the Law would take its full course as it was observed that some people along the System 40 drainage Channel in the Ojo Local government Area have built on the canal path and narrowed the primary channel which has resulted in flooding incidents in the axis.
He said the government will not back down on the enforcement and would ensure that 7 metres drainage setback on all drainage channels is restored, stressing that 15 metres drainage setback is the standard right of way to be restored at Alaba International Market outfall, adding that the House of Assembly member representing the area, Hon. Olusegun Ege, who was also present during the tour, advocated for less than 10 metres to be observed.
“This is just to let people know we are not dropping the ball and the weather has been very favourable so we have no excuse than to just move to site, clean up the drains, restore the right of way and then take ownership of the public infrastructure; the development of any city is a deliberate plan; it is not magical, things will not happen unless the plan is enforced”, he said.
He maintained that the Ministry has engaged in a series of sensitisation and advocacy but that it will not stop enforcement processes where necessary, adding that where there is a law in place there is always provision for enforcement.
Wahab advised developers and homeowners in other parts of Lagos to ensure that they do not encroach on public infrastructure such as drainage collectors or channels be it primary or secondary and think that the government will not come for them someday.
The Special Adviser on Environment Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu said it was regrettable that the unwholesome practices of some business owners/developers who were in the habit of converting the right of way into land and building on it have exposed other property owners to the dangers of loss of properties.
He charged all residents to support the government efforts in making Lagos a safe, clean, flood-free and sustainable one.
In his response, the President General, Alaba International Market, Chief Nnamdi Amajioyi said the executive of the market has shown the State officials the affected areas, adding that they will cooperate to find lasting solutions.
“We have challenges whenever it rains. I believe that if we go by what the Ministry said, the problem of flooding will be a thing of the past” he said.
