To check flooding, the Lagos State government, yesterday, disclosed plans to construct and upgrade secondary drainages in six local councils.
The state also sought cooperation with experts in the drainage sector for inputs in the development of a Secondary Drainage Master plan for selected local governments, as parts of its efforts to reduce flooding issues.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting on Lagos State Secondary Drainage Master plan (Priority one) in Ikeja, said the state is keen to develop an implementation strategy to reduce flooding.
Wahab, who had in his company the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Chairman House Committee on Environment, Hon Lanre Afinni and Permanent Secretaries Office of Drainage Services, Lekan Shodeinde, and Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, said government and residents must collectively ensure that flood risks are managed in a sustainable, equitable and effective manner.
He reiterated that the gathering was a testament to the commitment of the present administration to always give residents an input into government plans, stressing that due cognisance will be taken of all the points raised.
The Commissioner recalled that the first case of major flooding was recorded in 2012/2013 and the government at that time was frontal in its approach, adding that there have been improvements in the drainage system over the years.
“We will not rest on our oars, we shall continue to engage in all year round cleaning and infrastructural development to ensure that Lagos is free of flooding,” he said.
He stated that the world was experiencing global warming, which is bringing about situations where countries with the best infrastructure have, in recent times, been experiencing flooding.
In his part, the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the Ministry has started the journey to find a lasting solution to the
menace of flooding, as such, everyone’s opinion is welcomed.