Community raises alarm over abandoned channelization

Worried by the negative impact of flooding on their homes, residents of Onasanya Community in Bucknor area, Jakande, Ejigbo, have appealed to the Lagos state government to come to their aid by completing the channelization of the drainage under the Isheri-Jakande Estate link bridge.

Sequel to the deluge of havoc perpetrated by flood on properties whenever it rains, the community had previously written two letters to the state government pleading for action without any response from the office of the state commissioner for environment, which the letter was addressed to.

According to the letters dated November 22, 2016 and May 2017, communicated through the community Lawyer, Obafemi Opanuga & Co, it was alleged that the community has been submerged by erosion, which destroyed many of their properties as well as caused wanton unsanitary effects on the health and families in the area.

They also alleged that the cause of the flood was due to a narrow pathway of the erosion into the canal upon which floods from about three streets namely; Akinbile, Yomi Ishola and Eckanka met to pass through the narrow path thereby pulling back water into Onasanya street and causing overflow into buildings in the community.

The Guardian investigations revealed that sometime in February, there was an attempt by the contractor handling the Jakande-Isheri link bridge to build a drainage but the project was abandoned midway.

Efforts to speak with the Lagos State Commissioner for environment Dr. Babatunde Adejare for a reaction on the matter proved abortive as his cell phone was switched off.