2nd August, 2011
Residents of Makoko in Yaba Local Council Development Area of Lagos State have sent an appealed to the state government to clear the blocked canal that passes through the community, saying it is the cause of flooding in the area.
The appeal was made in a chat with Lagos Bulletin during the flag off of LAMCOFOR/SERAC campaign against flooding, held in the area recently.
Mrs. Olawoyin, a resident of the community, said the last torrential rain in the state seriously affected the area as most of the houses in there were nearly submerged by flood. She attributed the cause of the flood to the blocked canal in the area and appealed to the state government to help them by clearing it.
“Sometimes last year, government promised to clear the canal and refuse in this area, but up till today, we have not seen them in action.
“We are appealing to government not to forget its promise and save us from being swept away by flood.â€
“We wants our amiable governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,to pay a visit to this community and see things for himself as we suffer a lot during the rainy season,†Olawoyin lamented
Other residents of the area also complained about the blocked canal and said there is need for state government to set up a special committee that would look into upgrading of the area.
They also appealed to government at state and local levels to assist them in removing abandoned vehicles from the road sides, which they say, causing impediment to human and vehicular movements in the area.
— Paul Sanusi