The Lagos State Government, on Sunday, sealed three construction sites located at 65, 68, and 124 Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island, for obstructing drainage channels with building materials.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued the directive during an inspection tour of the area. He emphasized that dumping construction materials on drainage systems causes severe blockages, disrupts water flow, and leads to flooding and environmental degradation.
Wahab warned developers and residents to desist from such acts, noting that it endangers lives and properties. He added that the inspection was part of preparations for urban regeneration activities on Lagos Island.
The Commissioner stated that urban renewal efforts had become necessary to address the persistent flooding affecting the area. He recalled that a previous contract awarded to Julius Berger for infrastructure development was hindered by human activities and negligence, which clogged the drainage systems. As a result, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu re-awarded the project to ensure progress.
“The Governor has re-awarded the regeneration of the total infrastructure of Lagos Island, and we are working to ensure contractors are ready to commence immediately,” Wahab explained. He added that the project timeline is being reviewed to reduce the delivery period from 24 months to 18 months or less.
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He further called on residents to take ownership of public infrastructure, stressing that taxpayer funds are deployed for such developments, and it is everyone’s responsibility to maintain them.
Wahab also highlighted the government’s commitment to enforcing the ban on single-use plastics, which takes effect in January. He noted a significant reduction in littering, especially with styrofoam, since the initial enforcement began.
During a visit to Ilubirin, Wahab expressed satisfaction with the progress of the pumping station project, which is a critical part of the urban regeneration initiative.
The project includes three major pumps, two 500KVA generators, and three control panels, with a pumping capacity of 3 million liters of water per hour. These pumps will channel all drainage water from Lagos Island into the Lagoon, providing a lasting solution to the area’s flooding challenges.
Wahab disclosed that the pump station would be energized within the next ten days for test runs. “Once operational, the system will complement the urban regeneration efforts to deflood Lagos Island,” he explained.
The Commissioner assured residents that the Ilubirin project and other initiatives would transform Lagos Island into a flood-free and environmentally sustainable hub.
