Kunle Adelabu
A senior citizen in Ikorodu and community developer, Elder James Kayode Alabi, FCA, JP, who is popularly known and called ‘The Black Pope’, has blamed government and residents for lack of planning to tackle the issue of flooding that is ravaging lkorodu Division and other parts of Lagos State.
The incessant rainfall has brought about flood across the state with many properties destroyed, communities abandoned and road impassable, especially in many areas of Ikorodu Division.
Elder Alabi, who is a chieftain of Igbe community and official of the Igbe Road Rehabilitation Committee (IRRC) that initiated the rehabilitation of Igbe road (now Rep. Babajimi Benson Road) and stabilized it, before the intervention of Rep. Babajimi Benson, the representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, who facilitated the full reconstruction of the road, spoke with THE IMPACT on Sunday.
“This has been a regular occurrence, in our environment, including lkorodu and other parts of Lagos Metropolis”, Elder Alabi said.
“Hmmmm, let me start with the undeniable fact that, we have a government and a people, who are averse to progress. We all know that this is the raining season, and it comes once in a year, and lasts for a minimum of five months – May to September of each year. And, CANNOT be Wished Away.
“What has ever been our preparation(s) to forestall such ugly and socio economic deficient occurrences, such that the stories bring tears, overwhelming tears to our eyes, brought about unbearable pains. Nothing, l may say. Absolutely nothing”.
Elder Alabi, like many others, blamed government for failure to effectively enforce its regulations and monitor environmental activities across Lagos communities.
“Our drainages are very untidy, and filled with so much garbages, that free flow of rain water, into the canals, becomes a herculean adventure.
“Lack of the presence of effective drainages, deep enough to ensure torrential rain water, can be absorbed without any hindrance.
“All these are traceable to both the government officials, who are ineffective in carrying out their supervisory roles, by monitoring and metting out the right punishment to residents, whose actions and inactions, culminate in blockage of the drainage.
The senior citizen did not only just blame, he also charged officials at both local and state government levels to be alive to their responsibilities.
He also called for overhauling of the existing drainages to accommodate and properly channel torrential rainfall.
“Our government officials, must put in place, modalities to prevent a continual occurrence of this shameful situation”, he said.
“This can be in form of identifying areas that have such flooding, and work on making sure the existing drainage is cleared, and where non exists, is immediately put in place.
“Existing drainage must be deep enough to allow flow of torrential rain water,such that, none is allowed to overflow and mess up the roads.
“Weekly supervision should be effected, and timely action or redress is put in place, to forestall a repetition of such occurences, now and in the future”.
“A department in the Local Government must, as a matter of urgency, be put in place, with the mandate of apprehending whoever stands in the way of smooth flow of rain water. The penalty must be stiff enough, to put fear in the minds of any citizen with a penchant for indiscriminate dumping of refuse”, he said.
“An enlightenment campaign should also be carried out to inform the people of the policies of government, and its consequent punishment, if found to be violated”.
The Ex Banker warned that the flood that is ravaging many parts of the state could result in serious health issues, hence, he called on the government at all levels to urgently intervene and redress the situation.
“There is no gainsaying in the fact that, inability of water to flow unhindered, coupled with dirts here and there, could eventually result into health hazards.
“It is, therefore, incumbent on the State, Local and even the Federal Governments, to play their roles distinctively and measures put in place to constantly ensure adherence to environmental laws at all times.
“A healthy citizenry is a highly productive people, and consequently, a nation that attracts tourists from all over the world, thus increasing and assuring the economic well being of the citizenry”.
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