The Akinola, Ige and Abule-Oki canal committee under the Aboru Canal Project has commended Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Secretary to.the State Government, SSG, Abimbola Saliu-Hundeyin for the work done on the Ige, Abule-Oki, Akinola canal and bridges which has reduced flooding in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the committee during inspection of the projects by representatives of the Ministry of Environment and House of Assembly, the Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Kamorudeen Alade Bamidele said the community had been having issues of flooding for several years and had written several letters to past governors in the state to help find a solution to it but their efforts were not successful.
He noted that Governor Sanwo-Olu upon assumption of office heeded to their cry and ensured the challenges were tackled.
“We have been having issues with a lot of flooding so we wrote a series of letters to the state government and the Ministry of Environment through Know Your Right organization. It spanned three governors but when Sanwo-Olu came in, he started something for us here.
We have been suffering from this as water always flooded our area. They have commenced work and done concrete lining and we commend them. We just need them to make some.corrections as they promised,” he said.
He also commended the Lagos House of Assembly for intervening in their matter but urged the government to expedite action on widening the canal to 70metres as promised as well as removal and reconstruction of the Ige bridge.
“We appreciate what they have done so far and we encourage them.not to forget us to complete the remaining works,” he added.
Comrade Olusegun Adeeko of Know Your Rights For Justice, an organisation championing the cause of the community also commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and specifically the SSG for her intervention in the issue.
He praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for being a listening governor and awarding the contract for the reconstruction of the canal.
“The canal committee remains grateful to the office of the SSG of Lagos State for their intervention on the real expansion of the canal and reconstruction of Jimoh, Ige and Akinola bridges and for calling the contractors back to site after listening to the yearning and cry of the people,” he said.
The Nigeria Xpress
