The Lagos State Government has said that it would now focus its attention on the immediate evacuation of silts removed from at all cleared drains in the State.
Speaking to journalists, on Monday, after the second round inspection of ongoing drainage project sites in Surulere, Lagos Mainland and Somolu Local Government Areas, the Honourable Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello said tipping trucks now embark on round trips to quickly evacuate the silts from drains across the metropolis.
He stated that findings have shown that several drainage channels, which had been cleared in the past, are quickly filled with dirt again due to non-evacuation of the silts in time, stressing that work is ongoing at various canals and drainages in order to ensure the free flow of wastewater.
In his words: “This inspection tour commenced last week, so, this is the second phase and it’s going to be a continuous process. The inspection is based on the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that the Ministry’s officials must continuously go out to monitor closely and ascertain the level of work being carried out by the contractors assigned to clean these canals”.
He said the present administration has been able to reduce indiscriminate waste disposal by residents to an appreciable level and will not relent in performing its responsibilities of maintaining flood-free, clean and hygienic environment in Lagos.
Bello, who was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Special Adviser Drainages, Engr. Joe Igbokwe and Permanent Secretary, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, expressed satisfaction with the level of work at most of the project sites, adding that the attention of project contractors has, however, been called to few noticeable lapses in some areas.
The Commissioner expressed dissatisfaction with the level of work done at Fatai Kadiri Drain (Opeyemi Fola-Agoro Collector Drain), demanding that contractors should revisit the area for more dredging, while they immediately remove some of the culverts that were wrongly positioned.
Also speaking, Engineer Igbokwe enjoined the people of Lagos to support government efforts by ensuring regular clearing of the drainages in front of their houses to ensure the free-flow of water.
He urged the residents to desist from the act of indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainages, roads and other unauthorised places.
Some of the drainage channels and canals visited include Somolu, Kosofe, Lagos Mainland, Surulere, Alausa Ikeja, System 2/Fola-Agoro, Gbagada/Bariga Channel, Anthony Oke.
Others projects inspected are Opeyemi Fola-Agoro Collector Drain, dredgibg of Ojo-Oniyun-Olaleye (by Park Lane), Otumara Collector drain, Alaka – Tejuosho Channel (System 4) Alaka, dredging of Carter-Railway Channel Alaka, Nathan Collector drain, dredging of Bush Arowojobe Channel, Atunranse Canal, System C6 by Fashoro/Akobi Crescent and System C6 by LUTH Idi – Araba.
