As Lagos State government is set to commence the reconstruction of some major roads, drains and major collectors on the Lagos Island, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Sunday led officials of the ministry to inspect the alignments for the drains and collectors to be reconstructed.
Speaking after the extensive inspection tour with newsmen, the commissioner said the inspection was brought about by the need to assess the situation on ground preparatory to the commencement of the urban regeneration activities to be carried out on Lagos Island.
Wahab said urban renewal across Lagos Island had become necessary in order to effectively address the problem of flooding which had posed serious threat to lives and properties in the area.
Wahab recalled that in recent past, Julius Berger was awarded the contract to build appropriate infrastructure on the Island saying that human behaviour and interaction overtime clogged the drainage system leading to the governor re-awarding the road and drainage infrastructure in the area.
“This tour became necessary as the governor has re-awarded the regeneration of the total infrastructure of Lagos Island; we need to ensure the contractors are ready to commence and see if the contract period can be abridged and thus reduce the delivery time to 18 months or less instead of the initial 24 months projects delivery, ” he said.
He maintained that the state government would continue to provide requisite infrastructure but the citizens must take ownership of the infrastructures with a mind that it was for the good of all.
“We will ramp up provision of resilient infrastructure and encourage people to take ownership while government also takes ownership of the responsibility imposed by the statutes; our people must remember that tax payers funds are deployed to build these infrastructure,” he said.
The commissioner reminded all that there was no going back on the commencement of a total ban on single use plastics from the beginning of January, adding that littering, especially with styrofoam had reduced drastically compared to when enforcement of its ban initially started.
The commissioner said the ministry would, in the new year, continue its advocacy for attitudinal change adding that citizens must know that in order to experience change, attitudes towards the environment must also positively change.
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At Ilubirin, the commissioner expressed satisfaction with the level of work on the pumping station projects at Ilubirin, adding that the station would be energized within the next ten days for test running.
He said the massive Ilubirin water pump project was the most critical part of the regeneration process majorly to deflood Lagos Island and environs adding that all drainages in Lagos Island would discharge into the Lagoon through the these pumps, stressing that the measures would permanently curb the menace of flooding in the areas.
Wahab explained that the Ilubirin project had 3 major pumps, 2 (nos) 500KVA generators, 3 (nos) control panels with a pumping capacity of 3million litres of water every hour, stressing that the project would be very beneficial to the entire community.
According to him, all the equipment were in place, in ten days or less, once the connection was completed, “we would open the outlet for test running and this will also compliment the urban regeneration efforts to deflood Lagos Island.”
He advised all agencies of government, especially in Enviornment and Water Resources sector to move out of their offices into the field and engage in responsibilities required of their respective agencies, adding that Global Warming and Climate Change were serious issues that must be confronted from all fronts.
The commissioner sounded a note of warning to developers and residents that dump building materials on the roads and drainage channels causing serious blockage to natural flow of water to desist from such acts while ordering the immediate sealing of three buildings on Adeniji Adele Road which are Number 65, 68 and 124 for dumping of building materials on the drainage channels.
The Special adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the urban regeneration of Lagos Island was the lasting solution to the menace of flooding in the area, stressing that government would not relent in performing its responsibilities of maintaining flood-free and clean environment.
He appealed to residents of Lagos Island to support the government when the project commenced, to the end because it would be beneficial to all and for a sustainable environment.
The commissioner was accompanied by the Special Adviser on Environment, Engineer Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin and some directors from the Ministry
The places visited by the team include Bombata Multipurpose Market; Oroyinyin area; Princess Street, Isale Gangan; Aroloya Street; Idumagbo Street; Adeniji Adele Trapezoidial Canal; Epe Collector Drain along Adeniji Adele Road and Ilubirin.
