Lagos Removes Structures On Drainage Channels

The Lagos State government has begun the demolition of structures built on canals. Most of these structures were built in such a way that they have obstructed drainages around the state for years.

According to the government, the exercise which is on-going, is to avoid a repetition of the kind of flood that ravaged parts of the state two months ago.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, while inspecting drainage channels in Eti-Osa, Somolu and Kosofe local government areas of the state, maintained that it was essential to re-establish drainage alignments and remove all structures obstructing them.

In line with this, some structures removed along drainage alignments in Victoria Island include perimeter fence of some banks, illegal buildings on drainage channels in Ajiran and Agunji in Victoria Island.

Again, several structures on drainage channels were removed in Somolu, Bariga and Gbagada areas of the State.

Mr. Bello explained that though the action of the state will not completely put an end to flooding, it would reduce its impact on the state.

“The demolition comes with re-establishing the canals and then the alignment. We have re-established the alignment and we are removing the obstructions.

“I cannot promise you a flood- free Lagos because it is a world-wide phenomenon. We are having more rains throughout the world.

“What we can promise is that we will reduce the incidence so that when it rains the impact will be minimised.

“ We also appeal to our people to stop dumping things in the drains and building on drainage channels. You could see people in Lekki and Gbagada with mansions on the channels,” he explained.

He said that no structure built on the channels would be spared since the effect of sparing any building would have a serious consequence on the efforts of the state government.

He urged prospective land buyers in the state to undertake due diligence and ensure that the land they are buying are free of encumbrances because the state government would not tolerate the erection of structures along its drainage channels which should be free to discharge into the lagoon.

Meanwhile, as part of its de-flooding programme, the state government has commenced the development of 10 major channels in Lekki in Eti-Osa Local Government Area. These channels which include Ajiran Channel would form the Lekki System Channels that would discharge into the lagoon.

Government has also intensified effort at de-silting drainages in some major parts of the state, including Agege, Kosofe and somolu.

Engineer Muyideen Akinsanya, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, said that to underscore its determination to minimise flooding in the state, the government is set to carry out regular removal of structures blocking its channels.