9.5 million residents benefit from Lagos de-flooding programme
The Lagos State Government has said over 9.5 million residents have benefitted from its de-flooding programme since it commencement.
The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, stated this at the 2015 ministerial press briefing by the ministry in commemoration of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s eight years in office.
Bello stated that the ministry intended to consolidate on the achievements recorded last year, which explained why the 2015 de-flooding programme started last December.
He said, “The ministry’s ultimate goal is the realisation of a cleaner, sustainable and liveable Lagos. The ministry has assiduously pursued this goal with unwavering zeal in the last eight years.
“Similarly, our resolve is also the attainment of a flood-free state through efficient management and preservation of storm water through the deployment of innovative approach and strategies.”
The commissioner said the scheme was sustained through strategies such as the pre-rain programme between January and March; mid-rain programme between April and July; and post-rain programme between September and December.
Bello recalled that in 2011, Lagos was submerged in flood and as a result, the state government had some challenges in Owode and Ajegunle areas, where some people were rendered homeless.
The commissioner added, “This, we were able to contain. The Lagos State Government built a new abode for the homeless at Agbowa, which is nearing completion stage. The ministry also established and maintained a cordial working relationship with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority, which has helped in the control of water release from the Oyan Dam, which has further aided our de-flooding process and storm water management during the rainy season.
“New drainage projects have been completed in areas such as Lagos Island, Orile Agege, Ikorodu, Alapere, Kosofe, Abule Egba, Agbado Oke-Odo, Ifako Ijaye, Egbe-Idimu, Shomolu, Mushin, Itire, Ojo, Alimosho, Eti-Osa and Epe.”
According to him, it is noteworthy that for four consecutive years, the state has been the least affected by flooding due to its all-year de-flooding programme, which consists of massive maintenance, dredging and construction works introduced to increase the existing drainage channels across the state.
Bello noted that in the period under review, 52 drainage dredging projects were completed, while there was provision for 67 new ones across the state.
He added that 75.27-kilometre length of primary drainage channels was dredged with 20 ongoing drainage construction projects, and 65 hazard area flood plains drained and made accessible.
“In the last one year, the Drainage Maintenance and Emergency Flood Abatement Department cleared a total length of 710 kilometres of primary and secondary collector drains across the state, which were carted away to approved dumpsites,” he said.
The commissioner added that the Water Resources Department of the ministry also installed rain gauge stations in five divisions of the state and readings obtained from the stations were used in collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency to inform residents about weather predictions.
“It is our belief that the environment is a mirror of our attitudes and values. It is, therefore, imperative that we diligently ensure that we protect it by making individual and collective efforts to champion the cause of a healthy environment,” he said.
PUNCH.
