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Tag: drainage

  • Avoid blocking drainage, don tells Lagosians

    Avoid blocking drainage, don tells Lagosians

    A senior lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Akoka, Dr Tayo Popoola, has called on Lagosians to eschew dropping of refuse into the drains during raining season.

    Popoola, an Associate Professor, described the habit as uncivilized.

    He said: “Residents should take it as their civic duties to shun dirty habits, not to block the drains and participate in the weekly environmental sanitation. Let the citizens make it their top duty, as a form of control of malaria, and other issues. They should cooperate with the government and abide strictly by the measures put in place by the government to control flood.”

    Popoola said that the revelation he received showed that that state would still witness heavy downpour.

    “We have not seen anything yet. That of today (Wednesday) is at a peripheral level, a bigger one is coming and I urged the government of Lagos State to take appropriate steps to control the flood,” he said.

    Read Also: UNN first-year student found dead on campus drainage

    According to him, flooding has been a top issue in state since the time when late Alhaji Lateef Jakande was the state governor.

    He said the University of Lagos has done a lot of research on the causes and how to mitigate flooding but government refused to implement the research outcomes.

    Popoola said: “Universities are there as the brain for the society and once they come out with solutions to societal problems, it is expected that government and stakeholders work on them for the betterment of the society. We know the attitude of Lagosians when it comes to sanitation. When it’s raining is when they will bring out their refuse to dump in the drainages. They believe the flood will carry the refuse straight to the lagoon forgetting that they are endangering their lives and property.

    “Government should pull down buildings that are obstructing drainages. This problem is physical, let the government take it as it is. It is embarrassing for Lagos State to be witnessing this kind of flood yearly.  One thing I respect the most about this country is predicting accurately but our usage of data is extremely poor. Those data should guide us in our decision making process by preparing our minds concerning it. If it has earlier been predicted that we’ll witness heavy downpour, let’s mobilise the citizens with the help of the media on how to mitigate its effect.”

  • Isheri Olofin residents urge govt to hasten drainage project

    Isheri Olofin residents urge govt to hasten drainage project

    Residents of Church Street, Akin Olugbade Street, Olufunsho Ettu, Kazeem Anifowose, Unity Close, and Olowookere streets in the Isheri Olofin area of Lagos State have appealed to the government to hasten work on the ongoing drainage project before the rains come.

    They said this would prevent a recurrence of losses they have suffered in the previous years.

    According to them, the flooding has persisted for over 15 years.

    Mrs. Elizabeth Kolawole, a resident of Church Street, recounted many instances where the floods damaged their properties, leaving residents to rely solely on grace.

    Mrs. Kolawole particularly lamented the September 2023 flooding which forced many of them to abandon their homes at midnight.

    She said: “This flood has been disturbing us for over 15 years. Last year September, we were forced to evacuate at midnight because of the flood. We relocated from the area and returned a month later to damaged properties.”

    Read Also: ‘Lagos committed to continuous drainage maintenance’

    Mrs. Kolawole urged the government to expedite the construction of effective drainage systems before the next rainy season.

    She said “We implore the government to hasten up with the drainage construction before another rain starts,” she added.

    A resident of Akin Olugbade Street, Rotimi Adebayo, echoed similar sentiments about the devastating impact of flooding on the community. He said last year’s flood was particularly severe, resulting in the collapse of eight fences including his own apartment.

    He, however, praised the government for its initiative to build standard canal-like drainage systems along the affected streets.

    Adebayo stressed that this gesture was highly commendable and offered hope to residents who have endured the recurring disaster.

    He noted that the project has helped to redirect water from Olowookere Street with the floodwater draining into the drainage system.

    He added that this would provide much-needed relief to residents as the project offers a long-term solution to the persistent flooding in the environment.

  • Lagos seeks stakeholders’ collaboration for improved drainage

    Lagos seeks stakeholders’ collaboration for improved drainage

    Lagos State Government is seeking the support of stakeholders on the development of a secondary drainage master plan for selected local governments, as part of efforts to reduce flood.

    At a stakeholders’ workshop, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the state was keen on developing an implementation strategy to reduce flooding.

    He said residents must work with the government to ensure flood risks were managed.

    Wahab described the gathering as a testament of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to allow residents contribute to governance.

    He said: “We will not rest on our oars; we shall continue to engage in all year cleaning and infrastructural development to ensure Lagos is free of flooding.

    Read Also: 21b ready for 3rd Mainland bridge rehabilitation, says Umahi

    “However, we must also play our parts as residents by doing the right things. Don’t block the drainages and canals with refuse or faeces; let us own the infrastructure so they will serve us well.”

    “The world is experiencing global warming, causing even countries with the best infrastructure to experience flooding. This is why we must take care not to destroy these things with our actions.”

    Special Adviser to the governor on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the ministry had started the journey to find solution to flooding and so everyone’s opinion was welcomed.

    The Permanent Secretary (Office of Drainage Services), Olalekan Shodeinde, said the first master plan was in the 70s, which became a guide for interventions in storm water management.

    He added that water, if not managed properly, could become a menace.

    Shodeinde said Priority One project would cover Ikorodu, Kosofe, Eti-osa, Shomolu and Ibeju Lekki believed to be the most flood-prone councils, while the priority two project would cover Ajeromi, Ifelodun, Ojo, Amuwo Odofin and Alimosho local governments.

    The Lead Consultant from Pheman Peniel Consultant Ltd, Dr. Emmanuel Adeyemo, said the intervention would reduce flooding and manage flood risk in a sustainable manner.

  • Baby found dead in drainage

    A baby was yesterday found dead in a drainage on Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

    The body was discovered near a motor park in Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The baby, wrapped in a black polythene bag, was said to have attracted passersby, including hawkers and drivers.

    The Nation learnt a wheelbarrow pusher, who was the first to discover the baby, alerted traders. One of the workers at the park, Ejike Omeke, said a wheelbarrow pusher drew his attention to the body.

    “He went inside the drainage and brought out the nylon for us to examine the baby, who was already dead. We saw marks of stabbing in his stomach,” he said.

    Omeke condemned the act, describing it as callous.

    A resident, Mrs. Uchanna Obiora, wondered why somebody will kill a baby, instead of taking it to a motherless baby home.

     

  • Community leader Odele sponsors clearing of drainage

    Community leader Odele sponsors clearing of drainage

    A community leader in Mushin, Babatunde Odele (a.k.a Pawpaw), has urged residents to stop blocking the drainage with refuse.

    Odele spoke when he led some labourers to clear a drainage at Obanikoro Bus Stop, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    The blocked drain prevented waste water from flowing into the adjoining drains.

    The water flows to  Ikorodu road, causing traffic gridlock during busy hours.

    The former Mushin Local Government Area chairman said motorists found it difficult plying whenever it rained.

    Odele said: “Ikorodu road is always busy whenever it rained; everywhere will be flooded due to the blockage of the drainage. We are trying to open up a blocked drainage from Association Avenue into Ikorodu Road. Aside the damage the water has done to the road, the odour is unfriendly to human beings. That is why we decided to do it to return sanity to the area because we couldn’t stand the sight of ugly things,” he said.

    Odele, who financed the clearing of the drainage, denied receiving anything from the government.

    “It is not based on contract. I am doing it because of our love for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area Chairman Rasak Ajala.

    “The message we are trying to pass across is that we don’t need to leave everything to the government. What we can do to help the government individually and collectively should be done. Government cannot see everything. We can’t but appreciate the good work of this present administration.

    “He (Ambode) is a performer; he has done well for Lagos State, that is why we are supporting him to make the state  conducive for all to live,” he said.

    He urged the public to be environment friendly, saying : “they should stop dropping waste in the drainage. Waste products must be disposed of. I’ll continue to ensure that the drainage is not blocked anymore.”

  • Flood: Lagos to demolish properties blocking drainage

    Flood: Lagos to demolish properties blocking drainage

    The Lagos State Government yesterday ordered owners of properties blocking drainage channels to remove them or have the demolished.

    In a statement yesterday, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, said the lawless activities of some people were constantly putting the lives and properties of residents at risk.

    Some areas where properties are erected on drainage channels include Illubirin, Dolphin Estate, Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Osapa London, Ikota, Ogombo, Lekki. The commissioner said investment of public funds in drainage clearing and de-silting was being compromised by such structures.

    The government, he said, was concerned that man-made causes, particularly the impediment of free-flow of storm water through indiscriminate erection of buildings on drainage alignments/ right of way and water courses, played a major role in the recent 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 government. 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 government, he said, has resolved to re-establish the right of way of drainage infrastructure across the state to stem the tide of flooding.

    The commissioner 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,” he said.

  • Residents protest abandoned drainage

    •’500 lives lost in four years’ 

    Residents of Abule-Oki and nine other adjoining communities in Alimosho Local Government Area last Thursday stormed the Governor’s Office and the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest an alleged abandonment of the dredging and concrete lining of Arigbanla Canal.

    They claimed the abandonment, which usually caused heavy flooding in their communities had claimed no fewer than 500 lives of residents, including women and children since 2012.

    Alhaji Kamorudeen Bamidele, the chairman of Committee on canal dredging of Abule-Oki, Onajole, lower Akinola, Raji Rasaki, Alabede, Aboru and Cele Water, among others, alleged that the project contractor, Messrs Dully Dredging and Construction Company Limited, had collected N1.9 billion out of the N2.7 billion  project vote before abandoning the site last year.

    Bamidele said they resorted to protest to call attention to the dire need of the over 300, 000 residents of the 10 communities, whose lives are being threatened by the incessant flooding of their homes.

    He expressed sadness that a project which was meant to last for  12 months when it commenced in February 2012, had taken over four years, with no end in sight.

    “It has taken over four years and not even one tenth of the work had been completed,” Bamidele claimed.

    He further alleged that attempts by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Samuel Adejare, to mediate in the crisis failed as the chairman of the construction company, Femi Pearse declined to show up at the meeting.

    According to Bamidele, the canal requires proper attention because the area is the melting point for about eight separate canals as it collects all the water from Abattoir, Ahmadiyya, Agbelekale/Ekoro, Papa Ashafa/Mulero, Orile Agege/Dopemu, Oke Shagun, Akinola and Oke Odo/Abule Egba.

    Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was represented by Lanre Ogunyemi said the Committee on Works and Infrastructure has received the communities’ protest letter and the House would make a pronouncement on the development before the year ends.

    Ogunyemi said: “The report concerning this matter is already before the Committee on Works and Infrastructure of which I am a member and we are assuring you that the House will speak on this matter before the end of the year”.

    Also speaking Bisi Yusuf, the lawmaker representing the communities, said he is passionate to see the issue resolved soon.

  • Council chief warns against misuse of roads, drainage

    Sole Administrator of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development (LCDA) Area Abiodun Agbaje has urged motorists to make good use of the roads just inaugurated in his domain to preserve them.

    Speaking at the commissioning of roads in Baruwa and Megida-Alaja, Agbaje warned the residents against the blockage of drainage with refuse dumps.

    House of Assembly Public Accounts Committee Chairman Bisi Yusuf and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Organising Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo said Lagos State was celebrating the translation of the vision of inclusive governance.

    “I want to thank our local contractors for delivering these projects and demonstrating the capacity of the construction industry in Lagos. I thank the community leaders who monitored the projects and persuaded their members to shift fences and allow roads to be expanded, resolving issues that might have stalled the projects,” Yusuf said.

    Enilolobo hailed the government for including the powering of the street lights in the projects.

    He urged communities to address the menace of cultism, hoodlums and vandals by providing information to security agencies.

    Community leaders in Badagry and Lagos Mainland have praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the completion and commissioning of roads in the councils.

    Pastor Israel Alagbe in Badagry said the commissioning of 114 rural roads would boost socio-economic activities at the grassroots and increase the economic well-being of the rural people.

    He said the people were happy with the development.

    “All the potholes, bad roads and all the roads that were washed away by flood have now become motorable and this job was done through the local contractors.

    “The rural areas are principally agrarian, with the commissioning of these roads, they can now easily transport their farm products to the market without inconvenience, they can now also go to their farms with their motor cycles and vehicles with ease.

    “This will reduce the cost of transportation and also reduce the prices of foodstuffs in the market because they now go through less stress to get these products to the market”, he said.

    He also said that some of the villages connected by these roads were hitherto inaccessible by commercial vehicles but are now accessible, so it will make for ease of movement for the people and more earnings for the commercial vehicle operators just as the villagers economic activities will also receive a boost because of ease of movement.

    Mainland Independent Group (MIG) General Coordinator Alhaji Ibrahim Megida said the repair of the road confirmed the genuine intention of Governor Ambode to transform the state.

    He said: “We are very happy with the repair of this road. This road has been in very deplorable state for long and we have been enduring untold hardship as a result of the sad development.

    “The state government inspected this road and promised us that work would start on it. Here we are today commissioning it. All the businesses in this area will witness quantum boost. God will continue to grant Governor Ambode wisdom and strength to lead the state.”

    Another resident Alhaja Sherifat Ajao, a trader, hailed Governor Ambode for keeping his words just few months after inspecting the road.

  • Man swept away in Osogbo flood

    The lifeless body of a 60-year old man, Elder Ebenezer Olabode, who was swept away by Tuesday evening flood in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Wednesday floated on the bank of River Okooko in Oke Oniti area of the town.

     

    The victim was said to be returning home when he ran into the flooded street ahead of his residence.

     

    An eyewitness account said that Olabode was adamant to move in the flood despite the advice of people around the scene not to do so.

     

    The eyewitness, Thomas Onaolapo, said that the victim’s body could not be recovered by some Hausa men present at the scene after an intense search that lasted several hours.

     

    He said: “We all warned him to go back but he didn’t listen. After moving for few minutes, the intensity of the flood forced open the booth of his car and the flood caught up with him. Two people standing nearby made attempt to rescue him and one of them nearly got drowned in the process and we all became powerless.”

     

    It was gathered that Olabode’s body has been deposited at the morgue of the State Hospital, Asubiaro.

  • Flood-free Lagos and poor drainage designs

    SIR: The recent pronouncement of the Lagos State governor, AkinwumiAmbode on the imperative of a flood-free Lagos is highly instructive. Lagos State has demonstrated exemplary template of governance in comparison with other states of the federation not because revenues have become low-fruit hanging across the streets of Lagos but largely because of the towering quality of minds superintending levers of governance in the state.

    One area of concern which continues to blight Lagos’s towering achievement is the declivity in the stewardship of the environment. As it is today, Lagos is sitting on a dangerous time bomb of natural flood disaster. It is difficult to reconcile the construction of beautiful drainage channels across the state without linking them to any major access canal.

    This explains why any rain in excess of the average results in flooding in Lagos.

    The governor must find a way of including proper linkage of all drainage channels in the jobs being awarded to contactors.

    Drainage is not just an aesthetic appurtenance or an abutment to road infrastructure designed in isolation of the overall serviceability.

    Take Lekki Phase One for instance. Almost all the drains in the estate are disconnected with the main canal and left without the covering slabs making them permanently blocked with sand and waste materials.

    More disturbing is the sight of newly constructed and ongoing drainage construction in Victoria Island without any visible link to an outlet.

    It is trite for contractors to attempt to short-change the government in delivery and standard specifications but the government is duty bound to provide necessary oversight and ensure value for money.

     

    • BukolaAjisola,

    Victoria Island, Lagos.