Kunle Adelabu
-Says approved drainage will solve flooding at Agbede, Transformer
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, on Wednesday, inspected the ongoing extension of 3.7km outfall Channel and secondary collectors on Gberigbe Road, which cut across Abule Eko/Ijede/Igbopa-London Road in Ikorodu, being constructed jointly by the State and Federal Governments.
Tokunbo, who visited with other officials of the ministry, said that the construction is part of tge measures being put in place to prevent flooding in the axis and environs.
During the tour, the team also visited Primate Oshibajo Road, Agbede Transformer/Omolaiye community in Ikorodu West LCDA, to find a lasting solution to the erosion being experienced in the area, informing that the drainage contract that will solve the problem has already been awarded.
“Agbede case is such a very unfortunate one because before now, the government had constructed a massive drainage infrastructure in a school as an intervention so that storm water can be discharged to the nearby natural stream effectively, but it has proven not to be enough”, he said.
“Graciously, Mr. Governor has approved the second leg of the drainage system construction, which would commence immediately as the contractor is expected to move to site in a few weeks.”
He assured the residents that the contractor would move to site very soon in order to construct another major secondary collector to complement the existing one so that storm water can discharge appropriately into the stream without delay.
Wahab added that the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure would also be invited to construct proper road infrastructure in that neighbourhood, adding that, with these measures, flooding will be a thing of the past in the community and environs.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, who accompanied the Commissioner, urged Lagosians not to entertain fears because the State Government would continue to map out strategies to contain flooding that may be experienced at any point in time.
Rotimi-Akodu advised residents to always be safety conscious, appealing to those in low lying areas to relocate to higher grounds.
Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, who also accompanied the team, said:
“The drainage, which starts from One – Fold to Ewu – Owa, Igbopa, would serve the Gberigbe road that is under construction, and the Abule -Eko Road that is being facilitated by Rep. Babajimi Benson, as well as the Igbopa road that the council is constructing.
“There has been serious complaint from the Arab Contractors that the drainage construction is slowing down its construction and that is why we ran to the ministry which prompted the visit of the Commissioner and officials from his Ministry and others.
“We were able to tour with the officials of the Arab Contractors to see how lasting solutions can be provided and the Honourable Commissioner promised that they are going to give the contractor that is handling the drainage system all that are needed in making sure that the construction is completed on or before the promised date.
“The contractor actually promised two yeas but to also make Arab Contractor deliver on its December date, the state government will need to charge the contractor handling the drainage to work faster, especially on the drainage that is slowing down the road construction.
“That is all the Commissioner and his entourage came to do today (Wednesday) and it was a major success”, Hon. Aro said.
Also on the team was the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, and some Directors from the Ministry.
Places also visited during the tour included Majidun, Itowolo, Ketu, Owode-Elede, Owode-Onirin, Ajegunle and Isheri-North GRA.
