….Says permanent solution is already being implemented
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday allayed fears of residents of Illubirin, Idumagbo and environs on the incessant flood being experienced in the areas, assuring that necessary measures including pumping of water from the waterlogged areas are ongoing and will effectively manage the flooding.
Addressing protesters who converged at Illubirin in Lagos Island, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello stated that a permanent solution which will involve provision of 3 bigger pumps of 3000m cube per minutes M3 is already underway as well as a reconstruction of the drainage outlet.
“Each one of those pumps will need a generator with a capacity of 400KVA and will be provided to power each of the pumps”, he added.
Responding to the request for a demolition of the natural embankment used to prevent the ingress of water from the lagoon, the Commissioner who was represented by the Director of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Mr. Mahmoud Adegbite extended an invitation to 5 representatives of the protesters to the Office at Alausa on Wednesday for further explanations on the need for the embankment.
He stated that that Climate change was part of what is being experienced and it is happening all over the world, and some cities have not recovered from its effects.
The Commissioner explained to the residents that the Government get daily report on the activities going on at Illubirin, adding that a lasting solution to the issue of flooding has been found, urging them to remain calm.
According to him, Lagos Island is a low lying area which explains the convergence of water and Lagos is part of the sinking cities, but the government will never fold its arms and let the untoward happen, adding that
He added that as a follow up to the meeting with representatives of the protesters on Wednesday, officials of the ministry would also visit Ilubirin on Saturday with residents to have another first hand experience of the level of the water.
Earlier, the spokesperson for the protesters, Mr. Mukadass Maja, said their demand for a lasting solution is to pull down the embarkment that prevent ingress of water from the lagoon, to allow free flow of water.
He said many of their streets, shops, mosques, churches, police Stations and schools in the areas are seriously flooded and is affecting the economy of the areas.
Some of the affected areas include Ojo Giwa, Jankara, Idu Garan, Okoya and some affected schools include King Ado High School and St. Patrick Primary school.
