Lagos commits to drainage, canal infrastructure maintenance

Lagos State government, through the Ministry of Environment, has restated focus on drainage and canal maintenance to permanently address the menace of flooding.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated this at the weekend, after inspection of some areas in Ikoyi, including State House and Dodan Barracks.

He expressed satisfaction with the cleaning of drainages at Mammy Market in Dodan Barracks, noting that perennial flooding in the axis has become a matter of serious concern to the government.

“I must say that I am satisfied with the level of compliance and ongoing work around the State House on the Dodan Barracks/Norman Williams Corridor. A lot has been done by the government in removing the nuisance blocking the canals and waterways,” he said.

Wahab said most structures in the areas did not observe the standard three meters required by law for the setback of secondary collector drains.

“On investigation, we found out that the first property situated along Onikoyi/Banana Island collector, inside Onikoyi Estate, had 2.5 meters for the drainage setback.”

And for us to have a balanced situation, we will adopt 2.5 meters, which is smaller than the three meters required by law,” he said.

The commissioner said the ministry would serve contravention notice immediately to property owners along the corridor of Shoreline Estate/Onikoyi Estate/Park View/Banana Island collector, whose properties fall within the channel setback.

He said property owners along the aforementioned collector drain would be given the next seven days to move their fences on both sides of the channel, while observing the 2.5 meters drainage setback, saying enforcement would commence immediately after expiration of the mandatory notice.

He advised property owners and residents to voluntarily move fences themselves before the commencement of enforcement, saying: “If they fail to do so and allow us to use taxpayers’ funds to enforce, property owners would be surcharged for the expenses incurred.”

The team also visited Banana Island where the street that houses Ford Foundation was flooded, eliciting complaints from members of the estate, with a resolution to find a permanent solution to flooding in the area.

The commissioner emphasised that the ministry does not demolish buildings but only removes impediments to obstruct free flow of water into the drainage, as backed by the law.

He appealed to residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages, on roads and other unauthorised places, and support government’s efforts by ensuring regular clearing of drainages.