.........Insists that residents of lowlying areas must relocate to higher grounds
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday allayed fears of residents regarding the release of water from Oyan Dam,
assuring that necessary measures are in place to effectively manage the floods.
Addressing the media after an extensive tour of areas affected by the staggered water release, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab insisted that property owners and residents of low lying areas must relocate to high grounds as the water is systemically released.
In his words, "I will like to appeal to the property owners and residents around Ajegunle, itowolo and other low lying areas to relocate to higher ground; this is emotional but life matters a lot; it has been observed that most buildings in Itowolo and environs are constructed along the plains of the Ogun River; water will never leave for you, it will always find its way"
He explained that the Ministry had engaged in massive advocacy in respect to the release of water in the past few weeks, urging residents not to compromise their safety and properties.
He said government is concerned about the sanitary situation of the neighborhoods as residents practice open defecation and other unsanitary activities into the open water, saying this is unwholesome and will result in serious negative impacts thereafter.
He reiterated that the State Government fully recognizes the challenges faced by residents of the affected communities and empathizes with them because they are tax payers.
He informed that the state government has awarded some drainages construction projects to mitigate the effects of the flooding.
He added that the team was visiting Isheri North GRA for the second time in 12months, promising that the government will get a final solution and the suggestion by residents to dredge a particular canal would be effectively executed.
Wahab recalled that in an effort to reduce the flood and ensure the free flow of water within the Ogun River system, Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) Ogun State Government recently commenced the dredging of the Ogun River downstream from the Ikorodu to Isheri axis (Ajelogo, Owode-Elede, Ajegunle, and deck-on-pile of Itowolo Bridge).
He noted that over 52 tributaries discharge into Lagos lagoon, which is a major contributor to prevalence of flooding and appreciated the Federal Government for awarding the Ogun River downstream project, saying the two states of Lagos and Ogun would continue to collaborate on ways to resolve the issue permanently.
He added that as part of measures to prevent flooding in the axis and environs, there is an on-going extensive construction of 3.7km outfall Channel and secondary collectors on Gberigbe Road which cut across (Abule Eko / Ijede/ Igbopa - London Road in Ikorodu jointly by the State and Federal Governments
During the tour, the team also visited Primate Oshibajo Road, Agbede Transformer / Omolaiye community Ikorodu to find a lasting solution to the erosion experienced in the area, informing that the drainage contract that will solve the problem has already been awarded.
"Agbede case is such a very unfortunate one because before now the government had constructed a massive drainage infrastructure in a school as an intervention so that storm water can discharge to the nearby natural stream effectively but it has proved not to be enough" he said.
"Graciously, Mr. Governor has approved the second leg of the drainage system construction which would commence immediately as the contractor is expected to move to site in few weeks" he added.
He assured the residents that the contractor would move to site very soon in order to construct another major secondary collector to complement the existing one so that storm water can discharge appropriately into the stream without delay.
Wahab added that Ministry of works and Infrastructure would also be invited to construct proper road infrastructure in that neighborhood saying with these measures, flooding will be a thing of the past in the community and environs.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Engineer Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu who accompanied the Commissioner urged Lagosians not to entertain fears because the State Government would continue to map out strategies to contain flooding that may be experienced at any point in time.
He advised residents to always be safety conscious, appealing to residents of low lying areas to relocate to higher grounds.
Also on the team was the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite and some directors from the Ministry.
Other places visited include Majidun, Itowolo, ketu, Gberigbe Road, Abule Eko / Ijede/ Igbopa - London Road, Primate Oshibajo Road, Agbede Transformer Ikorodu; Owode - Elede, Owode -Onirin and Ajegunle and Isheri- North, GRA.
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