By Edith Igbokwe
Pako axis has the most disturbing drainage blockage due to the business activities of scavengers in the area, says the Emergency Flood Abatement Department (EFA), Oshodi-Isolo LGA during a recent exercise.
Pako is the T-junction at which Okota road joins the Isolo-Ikotun road.
Warning the residents and commuters to desist from indiscriminate waste disposal to avert flood disaster, especially during the rainy season, the Coordinator of the Department, Mr. Adeniyi Dairo, said the people must change their attitude to avoid flooding.
He gave the warning following the increase in cases of flood in some communities in Oshodi, Isolo and Ejigbo, noting that many of the drains and canals have been blocked with wastes.
Speaking to ECHONEWS on the issue, Dairo, who frowned at the rate at which many drains and canals have been blocked with wastes, said government’s efforts could not be successful if people do not desist from dumping their wastes into the drains which, he said, has continued to cause the flood.
He said the drainage evacuation officials have been directed to work on all the black spots to give way for free flow of water and abate flood issues in the communities.
He informed that the officials would urgently desilt the drains and canals along Mafoluku-Oshodi road, Okota road and Pako bus stop, where wastes are mostly dumped, blocking the drains.
According to him, the quick intervention will ease the challenge as the wastes in the canals and drains would be evacuated to allow free flow of water.
He kicked against the improper disposal of refuse at the dump site and warned the site coordinator to sensitise the scavengers against disposing wastes indiscriminately in the drains.
He emphasised that residents have to restrain from dumping refuses in the drains and canals, while cautioning commuters and passengers to desist from throwing food remnants and empty bottles of water and drinks into the canals through the window of moving vehicles.
Dairo cited an instance he witnessed while evacuating a drain when a commuter threw an empty plastic bottle at him from a moving vehicle, warning that such an unlawful act must be stopped to avoid flood disaster.
