Segun James
The Lagos State Authorities has warned house owners of property in Apapa waterfront space that it’s going to start demolition there from right this moment.
The choice follows the expiration of the ultimatum on the graduation of enforcement operations in Apapa to re-establish the three metres drainage Proper of Means for all its drainage channels yesterday.
Talking with journalists after an inspection tour to test the extent of compliance, the state Commissioner for the Surroundings and Water Sources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, mentioned the enforcement actions is coming after the expiration of notices and convening of stakeholders conferences with the property house owners to voluntarily transfer their fences that fall throughout the drainage setback earlier within the yr.
He mentioned the ministry had served contravention notices to the buildings on the drainage setbacks, including that for a number of years, the ministry has not been in a position to entry the eight main collectors for upkeep goal attributable to encroachment which is a serious contributor to flooding being skilled within the Apapa.
He mentioned the state authorities was decided to discovering an enduring resolution to the flooding in Apapa whereas directing that enforcement officers to make sure that all contravening property are faraway from the drainage Proper of Means in accordance with the three metres required by legislation, assuring them that the state won’t cherry-pick property in the course of the enforcement course of.
“We wish to test the state of collectors in Apapa with the intention to evacuate and deal with the collectors; the entire of the collectors on this space are blocked and the proper of method taken over by people who moved their fences with the intention to purchase further land thereby denying us entry to the drains,” he mentioned.
The commissioner in firm of the Particular Adviser on Surroundings, Mr. Kunle Rotimi-Akodu; Everlasting Secretary, Workplace of Drainage Providers, Mahamood Adegbite; Basic Supervisor, LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi; Managing Director, LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegeshin, and a few administrators visited Pele Wura Collector drain, Abayomi Collector drain, and Aerodrome Collector drain, all within the Apapa space of the state.
The commissioner additionally inspected Rock Drive in Lekki I following a serious criticism that some people engaged in conversion of a purely residential space right into a diesel depot directing rapid enforcement, saying the unlawful depot poses the danger of a serious fireplace outbreak within the space.
He directed the Lagos State Environmental Safety Company (LASEPA) to seal up the property whereas the Kick In opposition to Indiscipline (KAI) officers demolished and arrested people discovered on the unlawful shanties constructed across the depot and thereafter tow away the diesel vans and autos stationed on the unlawful depot.
He additionally visited Aunty Ayo Collector drain in Ikoyi the place he expressed satisfaction with the continued cleansing of the drainage channels, sounding a notice of warning to residents who normally interact within the unwholesome acts of indiscriminate refuse dumping to desist from such act whilst wet season is right here.
“Allow us to praise the federal government’s effort in guaranteeing that Lagos is a flood-free state by being first rate in our waste disposal behaviour,” he mentioned.
Additionally, the Particular Adviser on Surroundings, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodum mentioned the federal government is decided to discover a reasonable resolution to the flooding throughout the state by embarking on all yr spherical drainage cleansing measures to manage flooding.
He added that it’s mandatory for residents to additionally clear the tertiary drains that run throughout residences repeatedly whereas the ministry has been persistently de-silting and dealing on varied linkages to the secondary and first channels to allow them discharge effectively.
