…To Reestablish Drainage Right Of Way
In a bid to mitigate the incidence of flooding, the Lagos State Government on Sunday ordered owners of properties erected on drainage channels and impeding the free-flow of water to immediately vacate or risk being removed.
The Government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, expressed dismay that the lawless activities of some people was constantly putting the lives and property of residents at risk.
He listed some of the areas where properties were erected on drainage channels to include Illubirin, Dolphin Estate, Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Osapa London, Ikota, Ogombo, Lekki, among others, noting that the massive investment of public fund into drainage clearing and de-silting had been compromised by structures hindering the free-flow of water.
The Commissioner said the State Government was seriously concerned that man-made causes, particularly impediment of free-flow of storm water through indiscriminate erection of buildings on drainage alignments/ right of way and water courses, have played a major role in the recent experience of flooding in the State.
“Therefore, it is now of paramount importance that owners of buildings or structures impeding the free-flow of storm water, wherever they exist in the State, are advised to voluntarily quit forthwith in the overriding public interest or risk being removed by the State Government as no responsible government will allow the interest of a few to jeopardise the wellness and wellbeing of the generality of its people.
“In view of the grievous consequences of compromising drainage right of way and alignment, Lagosians are hereby warned to henceforth refrain from this illegal act, report perpetrators and cooperate with the Lagos State Government in its bid to achieve a flood-free, clean and livable State,” Adejare said.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the State Government has resolved to reestablish the right of way of drainage infrastructure across the State also to stem the tide of flooding.
He said the decision became necessary to enhance the ability of the drainage channels to effectively discharge storm water into the rivers, lagoon and other water bodies and relieve Lagosians of the incidence of flood.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Lagosians are once again reminded that the right of way for primary unlined (without concrete) channel is 25 meters and 15 meters for primary lined (with concrete) channel, while the right of way for secondary/connector channel is seven meters. The right of way for tertiary channel is three meters from the fence of the house.
“Primary channels such as canals are those emptying directly into the river, lagoons and other water bodies, while secondary/connector channels connect water from channels in the frontage of the house (tertiary channels) to the primary channel,” the Commissioner said.
SIGNED
BABTUNDE ADEJARE
COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENT
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When last week I saw on the telly the images of Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi as well as parts of the Mainland submerged in water, I literally hid my head in shame and wondered what the governor and his aides might be thinking. The only time I felt like covering my head in shame was when the state government under military governor Raji Rasaki, goaded on by then head of state Ibrahim Babangida, bulldozed Maroko and sent thousands of its inhabitants into the streets of Lagos. For months they and their little ones were photographed by the news media of the world complete with rolled up mattresses on their heads agonising as they roam the streets complete with rolled up mattresses on their heads in search of shelter. 27 years after, they are still marching, this time for the illusive justice.
Lagos State has waited too long before swinging into action to pull down such structures built over main water channels that criss cross the state.
The Nigerian “State of Excellence” and Africa’s Fourth largest economy must rise up and fight off this shame, by putting in place decent and lasting solutions to this menace.
N24.5 billion monthly – amount creamed up from IGR alone – should be enough to sort the problem over a period of two to three years. This project is far more important than the 4th Mainland Bridge. No more excuses, please.