16th February, 2012
The Lagos State Government has appointed some resident engineers charged with the task of tackling flood-related matters in the state, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, has disclosed.
In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday, Bello said that the engineers would be posted to all the local government councils and the Local Council Development Authorities (LCDA).
He said that the phone numbers of the engineers would later be publicised to enable members of the public lay their complaints on blocked drains, dumping of refuse inside canals and other challenges.
“The resident engineers and drainage maintenance officers are to tackle flood-related challenges across local government councils and Local Council Development Authorities in the state.
“Their names and telephone numbers would be made public for residents to have access for emergencies,“ he said.
He explained that the action became necessary due to the expected increase in the intensity of rain this year. As a responsible and proactive government, the Ministry of the Environment has to put in place measures to reduce the incidence of flooding in the state to the barest minimum.
“These resident engineers are expected to interact with respective community leaders, residents’ associations, Community Development Associations (CDAs) and familiarise themselves with the challenges associated with drainage systems and canals, with a view to proffering solutions to them.
“Other measures put in place by the ministry to reduce the incidence of flooding include the ongoing pre-rainy season cleaning and dredging of secondary and primary collectors across the state and the all-year programmes of the Emergency Flood Abatement Department (EFAD),“ he said.
Bello urged residents to join hands with the state government by ensuring proper disposal of refuse through LAWMA and accredited Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators.
He warned residents to desist from patronising cart pushers who only collect refuse from one point and end up dumping them into canals.
The commissioner also warned market men and women to desist from dumping waste into canals as anybody caught would face the wrath of the law.
He further warned that any dirty market would be shut for a minimum of three months.