Flood: Lagosians must desist from dumping refuse in drainages – LASG

Following heavy rainfall experienced in recent time, the Lagos State Government has warned Lagosians to desist from dumping refuse in drainage channels across the state.

Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Samuel Adejare reiterated the state government’s zero tolerance for environmental abuse, especially indiscriminate refuse dumping, drainage blockage, construction on waterways and drainage alignments, among others.

“Lagosians must, however, desist from dumping refuse in drainage channels and stop acts compromising drainage alignment, such as building and erection of structures on drainage setbacks among others. The essence is to allow easy passage of rainstorm which is the ultimate goal of clearing and cleaning our drainage channels”, he stated.

However, Adejare disclosed that the state government, as part of its Cleaner Lagos Initiative, had divided the State into five zones for effective all year round drainage cleaning and clearing.

The commissioner, who said that the zones would follow the five divisions of Lagos, which are: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos, and Epe, noted that the essence of the division into zones/unit was to give room for efficient flood management, clearing of all blocked drainage channels.

His words: “Government is determined in its pursuit of clean, sustainable and livable environment as this holds the key to the wellbeing of the people”.

“The Cleaner Lagos Initiative has as one of its components all year round maintenance of the secondary and tertiary drains as well as removal of refuse, vegetal growth and silt from drains to allow for free flow of storm water.”

In a related development, Adejare continued his flood-free advocacy by visiting the Naval Dockyard, Ikota Resettlement Area, Lekki, County Homes and Apese Community to examine the situation of things after last weekend flooding.

At the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, where he monitored the efficiency of the Naval Dockyard Outfall serving, Oju-Olobu, Akarigbere, NEPA, NTA and other parts of Victoria Island, Adejare was received by Rear Admiral Danladi, the Superintendent of Naval Dockyard Ltd, who promised continued cooperation of the Dockyard with State Government in ensuring the free-flow of the outfall.

Also at the Stakeholders meeting with resident of Apese , Lekki County Homes and Ikota Resettlement Communities, Adejare appealed to the citizenry to co-operate with the government in its continuous deflooding programme, adding that this “is the only way by which we can prevent needless loss of lives and property and sustain a healthy living.”