In furtherance of its Cleaner Lagos Initiative, the Lagos State Government has divided the State into five zones for effective all-year round drainage cleaning and clearing.
The State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, who disclosed this recently, said that the zones would be in line with the five divisions of Lagos – Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos, and Epe.
He noted that the essence of the division into zones/units was to give room for effective flood management and clearing of all blocked drainage channels, stressing that the present administration is determined in its pursuit of a clean, sustainable and livable environment as this holds the key to the well-being of the people.
According to him, “The Cleaner Lagos Initiative components include an all year round maintenance of the secondary and tertiary drains as well as removal of refuse, vegetal growth and silt from drains to allow for free flow of storm water”.
The Commissioner reiterated the State Government’s zero tolerance for environmental abuse, especially indiscriminate refuse dumping, drainage blockage, construction on waterways and drainage alignments, etc.
“Lagosians must, however, desist from dumping refuse in drainage channels and stop acts compromising drainage alignment, such as building and erection of structures on drainage setbacks among others. The essence is to allow easy passage of rainstorm which is the ultimate goal of clearing and cleaning our drainage channels”, he stressed.
In a related development, Adejare on Thursday continued his flood-free advocacy by visiting the Naval Dockyard, Ikota Resettlement Area, Lekki, County Homes and Apese Community to examine the situation of things after the recent flooding.
At the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, where he monitored the efficiency of the Naval Dockyard Outfall serving, Oju-Olobun, Akarigbere, NEPA, NTA and other parts of Victoria Island, Adejare was received by Rear Admiral Danladi, the Superintendent of Naval Dockyard Ltd, who promised continued cooperation with the State Government in ensuring the free-flow of the outfall.
Also at the Stakeholders meeting with residents of Apese, Lekki County Homes and Ikota Resettlement Communities, Adejare appealed to the citizenry to co-operate with the government in its continuous de-flooding programme, adding that this is the only way by which we can prevent needless loss of lives and property and sustain a healthy living.
