The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to reactivate the office of drainage in the State so that they could be alive to its responsibility, saying that evacuation of the major canals across the State should be intensified.
The House also called on the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye to clear illegal structures built on setbacks of canals across the state.
It also called on the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to inculcate the monthly clearing of secondary drainages across the state.
Hon. Makinde Rasheed Lanre, representing Ifako Ijaiye II, moved the motion Under Matter of Urgent Public Importance during Tuesday’s plenary.
The lawmaker lamented the recent torrential rain in Lagos State which he said claimed the live of a person in his constituency while others lost their properties. He believes the disaster was caused by flooding.
Makinde reiterated the need to desilt all drainages in the State and to also kick against indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Contributing, Hon. Rotimi Olowo, representing Somolu Constituency I, stated that the Ministry of the Environment should be called upon to explain what they have done in the last one year.
Olowo noted, “People needed to be cautioned to stop dumping refuse in the drainages.”
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, representing Eti Osa 2, told his colleagues that drainage clearing is under Public Works Corporation and that only one contractor is saddled with the clearing of drainages in the State.
He suggested that the current arrangement is what they should look into.
Hon. Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe 1 said that the House should mandate the Ministry of Environment do the needful, adding that the issue had been raised severally without any action.
In his submission, Hon. Bisi Yusuff condemned the indiscriminate erection of buildings at water banks, stating that “the situation must be urgently addressed to avert further disaster.”
