By Ajibola Adedoye
The Lagos State Government says there is no going back on the enforcement and restoration of right-of-way of all drainage channels in the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, stated this while conducting an on-the-spot assessment of some drainage channels in the state.
Wahab said that the government was determined to restore the environment from all forms of contraventions that had altered the landscape.
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He noted that the government has awarded contract on restoration design in the axis in order to negotiate the task of making Lagos flood tide free.
“The Governor has awarded contract for the restoration of some critical systems on this axis around Ishashi, Oke-Odan, where we have seen people deliberately erecting on the channel.
“They have been served notices; so we have to start enforcement along with the contractor who is ready to commence work immediately,” Wahab said.
He said that all concerned have been served violation notices which had ceased and as similar enforcement would commence today.
He said the Law would take its full course as it was observed that some people along the System 40 drainage Channel in Ojo Local Government Area have erected on the canal path and narrowed the primary channel.
He said the development have led to incidents of flooding in the axis.
He stressed that the government would not back down on the enforcement, adding that it would insure that seven metres drainage reversal on all drainage channels were restored.
The manager said that 15 metres drainage setback is the standard right-of-way to be restored at Alaba International Market outfall.
He said that the House of Assembly member representing the area, Hon Olusegun Ege, who was also present during the exercise advocated for lower than 10 metres to be observed.
“This is just to let people know we are not dropping the ball and the rainfall has been veritably favorable so we have no reason than to just move to site.
“We will clean up the rainspouts and restore the right-of-way and also take possession of the public structure.
He noted that the ministry has engaged in series of sensitisation and advocacy, adding that it would not stop enforcement processes where necessary.
According to him, where there is a law in place, there is always provision for enforcement.
Wahab advised developers and landlords in other parts of Lagos to insure that they do not worm on public structure such as drainage channel, be it primary or secondary.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi- Akodu said the unwholesome practices of some developers and business owners were tragic .
Rotimi-Akodu said that their habit of converting the right-of-way into land and completely erecting on it has exposed other property owners to troubles of property loss.
He charged all residents to support government efforts in making Lagos a safe, clean, flood tide free and sustainable bone.
In his remarks, the President-General Alaba International Market, Chief Nnamdi Amajioyi said the market executives would cooperate to find a lasting solution to the challenges being faced in the area.
“We’ve challenges whenever it rained. I believe that if we go by what the ministry said, the problem of flood tide will be a thing of the history” Amajioyi said.
The places visited included Isheri/ Aiyetoro/Ologe Primary Channel at Anuoluwapo/Oke- Odan Street Ishashi, Ojo Town and Alaba Rago Primary Channel (System 40B).
Others included Alaba International Market Primary channel (System 40) and Ojo Local Government Area.
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