By Ajibola Adedoye
Lagos State Government on Sunday restated the need for all Local Governments/ Local Council Development Areas to collaborate with the State to confront environmental challenges through continuous enforcement and sustained advocacy.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab made the emphasis while addressing the media after an inspection tour to Savage/Elegbata Drainage channel around Olowogbowo/ Apongbon axis in Lagos Island.
Wahab said that the state was determined to proffer lasting solution to the problem of flooding in Lagos Island and environs which poses serious threat to lives and properties in the area.
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He said the team had to visit the Savage/Elegbata Drainage channel for a solution to open the drainage outfall towards discharging into the Lagoon effectively adding that the out fall was blocked as a result of an ongoing road construction in the area.
He said it was disheartening to see how human bad behaviours have destroyed the roads and other infrastructure put in place by the government.
He said LGs/ LCDAs are very culpable for the destruction of these infrastructure because they have allowed and looked away from various unsanitary activities of the residents on the state of the roads.
Wahab stressed that during the inspection, it was observed that the people in the community were entrenched in bad behaviours, adding that government will not rest but would continue to ramp up the enforcement and advocacy approach.
The commissioner urged everyone engaged in various activities such as operating illegal mechanic workshops, street trading, illegal abbatoir, unapproved parking lot amongst others under Apongbon bridge and environs to vacate immediately as enforcement agents have been given the go- ahead to begin enforcement.
He said government enforcement officials would be stationed in the axis after the enforcement to monitor the level of compliance and make arrest as well as prosecute when the need arises.
He implored community members to always take ownership of all infrastructure and the environment by preventing indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainage channels/roads, trading on the roads amongst others stressing that it is the responsibility of all residents to maintain the environment to ensure its sustainability.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu who accompanied the commissioner said the situation experienced at Apongbon and its environ is unfortunate as the people of the community are careless with infrastructure put in place to benefit the community.
He maintained that there is an increase in the volume of migration of people from the hinterland adding that this high influx puts pressure on the infrastructure put in place by the government.
He challenged property owners in the area not to compromise their buildings for stipends/handouts saying Lagos State Government will not be deterred until it achieves a community that is environmentally sustainable.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji; Permanent Secretary, Office Drainage Services, Engr. Mahmood Adegbite; Managing Director LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin as well as some management staff from the Ministry were also part of the delegation.
The team visited the Savage/Elegbata Drainage Channel which cut across Cole Street, Savage Lane, George Street, Abu Lane, Apongbon underbridge and Olowogbowo area.
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