The Honourable Member representing Lagos Island Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly today along side some other ranking members of the House who also serves as the Ad-hoc Committee that was setup by the Speaker of the House on the issue of Land degradation and flooding of Lagos Island and other places around Lagos State.
This is an oversight function and a major duty of the Legislatives house members to check and balance various projects that are embarked on by the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
The Honourable members on the ground for the inspection were Hon. Noheem Adam’s (majority leader of the House), Hon Olumoh (Member representing Ajeromi 01), Hon. Olanrewaju Afinni ( Member, representing Lagos Island Constituency 2), Hon. Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon (Member, representing Lagos Island Constituency 1), and some of the executives of the local government and L.C.D.A. Representing Lagos Island Local Government at the Inspection tour is Hon. Rosul Eshinlokun (the Vice Chairman of Lagos Island), also Hon. Muibi Alade Folawiyo (Chairman, Lagos Island East L.C.D.A) amongst other members of the Local Government and L.C.D.A L.C.D.A Executives
The inspection tour process began from Bombata Street, Oroyinyin Street, Jankara, Ojo-Giwa, Phase 1-3, and finally to Ilubirin canal.
Speaking on the issue was Hon. Omolara who appreciated the Speaker of the house for taking to heart the issue affecting her Constituency and willing to take a drastic action in solving the current issues and she believes so much in the pragmatic actions of the Speaker in playing a watchdog role on the activities of the concerned ministries.
Also, speaking today is Hon. Olanrewaju Afinni who appreciated the Speaker for deeming it fit to set up an Adhoc Committee to visit the concerned location and see things for themselves as this inspection tour will make the house have a first hand information of what the issues are.
He reiterated that his confidence in the Speaker and the Adhoc committee of ensuring a permanent solution to the problems that is being faced by the people of Lagos Island as their major interest is to get a lasting solution to the current problem.
Also speaking is Hon. Noheem Adams, who thanked the Speaker for taking into cognisance the issue of land degradation and flooding affecting the people of Lagos state particularly the people of Lagos Island as that’s one of the reasons why they were on ground to have a tour across the affected area and to see how a lasting solution can be brought on board for the benefits of all those residing and doing businesses on the Island.
He referenced on the protest that was being held by some C.D.A’s and Community leaders across Lagos Island at the State House of Assembly as it shows how denigrating things were on the Island and this was coincidental with the day Hon. Omolara raised the issue of Lagos Island on the floor of the house, he promised that the house will play its oversight functions by making sure the ministries involved are up and doing in finding a lasting solution to the issues at hand. He also urged the people of Lagos Island to give them little time to find a lasting solution to it as it will be done soon.
The Chairman of Lagos Island East L.C.D.A who was also on ground to receive the Honorable members also complained bitterly of the problem that is being faced by the people of Lagos Island and also various steps they have taken in finding a lasting solutions to the flooding. He complained of those in charge of the pump not being effective in ensuring daily functioning of the pump as he has paid a visit to the site more than twice to complain about it and which he waits until it is being on before leaving the premises.
He also complained about the process of creating a channel for receiving the water from both the Local Government and L.C.D.A as it might be too much for it and suggested that two channels should be created for them so as to reduce the pressure of the water outflows from both the Local Government and L.C.D.A.
Finally, Hon. Muibi volunteered to be coming around every 2 hours to check the pump station to ensure its effectiveness as that’s one of the ways they can be free of flooding across Lagos Island temporarily.
Responding to all the questions and opinions being raised was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment where he explain that there is a permanent solution that is being worked upon by the Ministry but before then there is a temporary solution that is being effective as they promised the Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun representing Lagos Central Senatorial District on the installation of Pump and Pipes that has been connected to pump the waters out of Lagos Island into the Lagoon to ease the people of the flooding crisis they are currently facing.
He promised the delegates that by the End of November 2023, the permanent solution would have been finally worked upon and this is the Installation of a high powered machine that will be pumping the water out of Lagos Island channel system into the Lagoon and not returning it into the community.
He briefed the delegates that 3 machines had been provided by his Ministry and the installation process will be underway soon, he explained further that the location only needs one of the Machine for the job at stake but 2 has been provided to work alternatively as each will be working for 8 hours as this will ensure a long lasting life span for the machine and while there will be a standby machine should incase of any breakdown or malfunctioning of any of the 2 installed machines.
Some of the elders and C.D.A Leaders on ground all appreciated the Speaker and their Honorables representing them at the Lagos State House of Assembly for a job well done and taking their pains into immediate consideration, they pray for the Speaker and the Honorables for more life to end well their journey in the service of the people as their representatives at the State level.
Finally, Hon. Omolara Oyekan-olumegbon thanks the people of Lagos Island for their warm reception of the Adhoc Committee, also playing their roles in joining the team for the Inspection and alongside airing their grievances in a civil manner. She promised that all their grievances have been noted and will surely be acted upon very soon.
Hon. Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon has promised the people of Lagos Island Constituency 1 a good representation at the State House of Assembly and also urges them to look forward for a better representation from her office.