Press Releases

Stop The Abuse Of Collector Drain Channels, Fashola Urges Elites

Mar 22, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola(SAN) on Sunday undertook an inspection of the drainage channels in Victoria Island, appealing to the elites to stop the abuse of the various collector drains in the area.

Governor Fashola who said this in an interview with newsmen after the inspection added the illustrious forerunners who established Victoria Island had foresight shown in the fact that they ensured that the land in the area was reclaimed and provided with collector drains which prevented flooding.

The Governor noted with regret that although the people who built Victoria Island did a thorough job designing all the canals and collector drains to ensure free flow of water, the elites who came to reside their abused the canals and collector drains causing the areas to flood.

Said he: “Our elites must realize that this kind of lifestyle is not sustainable. The collector drains cannot be diverted to different purposes. There will be no threat of flooding to Victoria Island if the elites do what they are supposed to do”.

Governor Fashola visited and inspected the collector drains on Ozumba Mbadiwe road where he was briefed by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Muiz Banire on efforts to expand the collector drain.

He also inspected the Itirin Canal near UAC properties where structures have been built without leaving the mandatory 15 metres setback as most of the structures have used what should serve as setbacks as boys quarters.

Governor Fashola also inspected the collector drain on Ligali Ayorinde Street and Fabak Close whose flow had been impeded by the blockage of the drain by massive structures which has also prevented clearing of the drains.

While at Kayode Akingbade Close, Governor Fashola was shown round the various massive barriers and structures which have been constructed on the collector drains, thus making it virtually impossible for access to be gained to the various points.

On Oko Awo Street, the Governor and his team inspected the canal which already had an uncompleted structure on it as well as several food sellers lined up along the canal corridor.

Governor Babatunde Fashola also visited Louis Solomon Close, where he inspected a private structure which had a full building and a swimming pool constructed on the collector drain.

“What we are seeing here today from Aboyade Cole to Prince Akingbade Close to Karimu Kotun even up to Solomon Close and Ahmed Onibudo is that people have simply abused the canals and drains”, the Governor lamented pointing out that because of the abuse, the collector drains which are supposed to discharge into the canals are receiving water from the canal.

The Governor, who noted that the whole canal has been diverted into the collector drain in Akingbade Close declared, “I think our elite must realize that this kind of lifestyle is certainly not sustainable”, adding that if the government must deal with the flood, people must move their fences and remove the structure, they have put on the canal so that the canals can be cleared.

On whether the structures built on the canals would be demolished, Governor Fashola said: ”We have a job to do, all of those structures were not built in compliance with the law . We will reach out to them. Fortunately Victoria Island and Ikoyi have very strong residents association. We will reach out to them and show them what the problem is, quite a number of them know what the problem is. We hope they will cooperate with us”.

The Governor, however, said if the residents fail to cooperate with the Government, ”If the flood comes, they will not have the moral right to complain. We are ready to do the job. We hope, we will have their cooperation to do what is right”.

He said in places like Aboyade Cole Street, so much had built up encroaching on setbacks and that it would not be economically wise to bring the structures down, adding “Probably we have to re-adjust the fences. People have to lose a few metres here and there in order to allow water to flow freely. If we do this, I believe we can reach a sensible compromise. Victoria Island should not flood if people did not abuse the canals and collector drains built for it”, he said.

Speaking on the approaching rainy season, Governor Fashola called on Lagosians to begin to clean up the drains in their areas in order to allow for free flow of rain water and minimize the effect of flooding.

“Whether you are in Alimosho, whether you are in Idi Araba, Ajegunle, Mushin or Lekki, begin to clean the drains”, the Governor advised. He also called on the Local Governments to double up their efforts in managing the drainage channels that are in their jurisdiction.

The Governor also called on motorists to begin to carry out proper maintenance of their vehicles, to check and ensure that all the parts are in order so as to minimize break down which according to him constitute much of the holdups on the State’s roads especially during the rainy season.

“It is not the Governor and it is not the Government alone. Everybody has a role to play and if we all play our roles well, this will be the best rainy season that we have ever had in this State”, the Governor said.