In the wake of torrential rainfall experienced in some neighbouring States, the Lagos State Government on Monday allayed fears of residents, assuring that the on-going flood abatement and ocean shore protection measures will keep them out of harm’s way during the rainy season.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, in a statement, said the Government had already commenced the maintenance of all primary, secondary and tertiary drainage channels under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative.
“Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is mindful of the terrain and geographical location of Lagos State being very close to the coast which makes it relatively prone to flooding and as such has come up with the global best practices through the engagement of reputable and competent contractors for all year schedule maintenance of all primary, secondary and tertiary drainage channels in the five divisions of the State,” Bamigbetan said.
He listed the areas undergoing dredging and cleaning to include Adetokunbo Ademola collector drain; 1004 collector drain – 1004 – Bishop Aboyade Cole to IGI; Idejo collector drain – Idejo – Adeola Odeku to Ozumba Mbadiwe; Billy collector drain, Epe; Beecroft/Simpson collector drain Lagos Island; Jankara/Adeniji Adele/Dolphin Estate Channel, Lagos Island; Ashimowu/Bakere Channel, Mushin; Ladipo Trape Zoidal channel, Mushin; Kehinde/Eta-oko collector drain, satellite Town, Amuwo-Odofin and dredging of Ketu-Alapere channel.
Others, according to the Commissioner, are dredging of 3.50km long Ketu-Alapere Drainage Channel, Kosofe LGA; 2.07km long Lakowe Drainage Channel, Lakowe, Ibeju Lekki; NTA 7 Tejuosho/Alaka Channel, Surulere; Osapa/Maiyegun Channel, Eti-Osa; Abeokuta/Egbe/Idimu Channel, Alimosho LGA; Ogombo Channel, Eti-Osa; Aguda/Coker Channel, Surulere and 615m long Kokoro Abu/Adeniran Ogunsanya Drainage Channel, Sabo, Ikorodu.
He also listed areas being cleaned up under the exercise to include Akibo Savage Collector drain, Victoria Island; Church gate collector drain, Victoria Island; Agoro Odiyan collector drain Victoria Island; Old Ewu Road collector drain, Oshodi Isolo; 5.00km long Ladipo Collector Drain, Fatai Atere, Mushin LGA; 1.98km long Alafia Collector Drain, Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA; 2.30km long 21 Road Collector Drain, Festac, Amuwo Odofin LGA; 820m long Amuto/Adeniji Adele Collector Drain, Lagos Island LGA; 235.0m long Thomas/Adeniji Adele Collector Drain, Lagos Island LGA; 850.00m long Oba Sefiu Adewale Drainage, Epe LGA and 950.0m long Billy Tertiary Drain, Epe LGA.
Noting that the administration’s efforts to protect the shores and the coastal communities led to the construction of 15 groins, Bamigbetan thanked environmental authorities for commending the Government’s efforts and recommending the construction of more groins from Lagos to Escravos to increase the protection.
“In addition, the Lagos State Public works has also commenced the cleaning/clearing of some road drains and inlets capable of causing traffic during the heavy down pour such as the inlets along Odo-Iya Alaro Bridge,” he said.