Stop blocking canals, deputy governor tells residents

 

•Dr. Adebule

 

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule has urged residents to desist from dumping refuse in canals and drainage. Such “indecent” acts, she said, cause flooding when it rains and pose danger to government’s  and others investment.

Mrs Adebule, after monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation at Ojo Local Government, expressed her displeasure at the state of canals within the council.

She lamented that residents were fond of dumping refuse in canals within the council.

This, she noted, had blocked the free flow of water, thereby causing environmental hazards and flooding.

“Today, we are here at Ojo Local Government and it is disheartening that our people are still in the habit of dumping refuse in the canals and as we have noted, this is the reason why almost all the canals are blocked, despite all our previous efforts and intervention here.  Our people must desist from doing this; they are mostly affected by problems caused by such acts and government is also worried that funds that are supposed to be channelled to other developmental projects are used to clear canals and drainage all the time,” Mrs Adebule said.

She continued: “Our people usually blame government for flooding during the rain, but it is important we understand that we are the major cause of these things.  The government had cleared most of these canals here in the recent past, yet today, we are faced with the same problem and challenge of blocked drainage and canals and as usual, government is expected to clear them again”.

The Deputy Governor said public enlightenment and sensitisation would be increased to educate the people on the dangers of improper refuse disposal and the need to obey environmental laws for their own safety and well being.

She said government agencies, Community Development Committee (CDC) and Community Development Associations (CDAs) would be empowered to relay the message to others and ensure that everyone protects the environment.

The monitoring team visited Ojo-Igbede, Mogaji, Ifelodun, Alaba International Market and Ajagbandi area of the local government.