The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to revive the Office of Drainage Services in order to clear all drainage channels and ensure proper disposal of refuse.
Rasheed Shabi, the chairman of the House Committee on Environment (Parastatals), stated this in an interview in Lagos on Sunday.
Shabi, who represents APC-Lagos Mainland II, stressed the need for clearing of major canals to prevent flooding.
He also called on the commissioner for physical planning and urban development to remove illegal structures along canal setbacks throughout the state.
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Shabi also encouraged local governments and council development areas to promote the regular clearing of secondary drainage channels across the state.
While saying drainages and canals had not been properly channelled, he said, “Though the causes of the flood have been natural and man-made, there is a need for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to be proficient in their duties.”
“I want to urge the Ministry of the Environment to explain what they have done in the last year, and, most importantly, people should stop dumping refuse in drainage channels.
“The enforcement agencies should also clamp down on people engaging in indiscriminate dumping of refuse,” he said.
Mr Shabi disclosed that indiscriminate erection of buildings near water banks should be looked into, stating that the situation must be urgently addressed to avert further disaster.
