HAMZAT URGES LAGOSIANS NOT TO DUMP WASTE IN DRAINAGES
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has urged Lagosians to desist from dumping their wastes into the drainage channels in order to avoid flooding as rain commences.
The Deputy Governor made the call today during an inspection tour of some drainage systems across the State as part of efforts to prepare for the rainy season.
Hamzat, while disclosing that the Sanwo-Olu Administration has awarded contracts for the clearing and desilting of the drainages across the State, explained that the tour was to ascertain the current status of work.
He stated that though the drainages are interconnected, waste dumping had clustered them, hindering proper functionality.
While berating the improper and indiscriminate ways of dumping waste, the Deputy Governor stressed the need for Lagosians to ensure that waste is dumped properly, adding that the drainage systems are to pave way for a free flow of water and not refuse- dumping.
The Deputy Governor said “the rains will surely come earlier than what it used to be, as the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has told us. As such, the Staff of the Ministry of Environment and Water resources are working tirelessly and the citizens also need to do their part”.
While stating the need for citizens’ ownership of canals and drainages, Dr. Hamzat noted that those who build on drainages will have their houses removed in the overall interest of Lagosians, asserting that as long as people adhere to the advice of the State Government, through the Ministry of the Environment, all will be well.
He appealed that since “water channels are all connected across the State, there should be no blockages in order to ensure that water can flow. So people must not discharge their waste in the drainage.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor has directed the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to seal up a residential building under construction due to dumping of a truckload of sand and stone on the road contrary to the law.
Some of the sites visited by Dr. Hamzat include Ijora Badia Channel; Doyin-Moshalasi Channel; Orile, System 5 Channel; Babs Animashaun, Surulere; System 6, Itire; Ladipo Channel and Kushoro/Igbayilola Collector Drain among others.
On the inspection entourage of the DeputyGovernor were the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mr. Joe. Igbokwe; the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Service, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde and other top officials of the Ministry.
