Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, approved the creation of Tertiary Drains Squad (TDS) in the 57 local councils in the state.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe, disclosed this at the second edition of stakeholders’ meeting with Local Councils/Local Council Development Areas on Cleaning and Maintenance of Tertiary Drains in Lagos held at the LCCI Conference Centre, Alausa.
According to Igbokwe, the squad will complement the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang at the state level, to ensure that tertiary drains properly discharge into primary and secondary drains.
While urging the council authorities to think big but start small, he explained that with the employment of 50 drainage attendants that would be paid a minimum of N35,000 monthly, the councils would spend less but achieve more, compared to what they presently spend to clean tertiary drains.
He ruled out a straitjacket approach to implementation of the governor’s directives, as each council is expected to adopt the strategy that suits it.
The meeting, Igbokwe reiterated, is one of the proactive measures put in place for synergy between the state and local councils as it affects drainage channels.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Lekan Shodeinde, said “the time has come for local councils to take up their constitutional roles of tertiary drainage maintenance across the state,” stressing that all hands must be on deck, as “the present administration is determined to ensure a flood-free Lagos” in line with the vision the state government.
There should be no excuse of inhibitions from political leaders in the discharge of their duties as far as such projects and intentions are well laid out, he explained.
The permanent secretary urged them to be bold to tackle challenges of having a cleaner environment, by always insisting on the right action.
He noted the availability of the state’s drainage engineers and coordinators in the 57 local councils to complement the 20 old local councils with the maintenance and cleaning of tertiary drains.
