Lagos to demolish structures under electric transmission cables

The Lagos State Government on Saturday said it would demolish structures built under electric transmission cables across the state.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, stated this while monitoring the monthly sanitation in Ayobo/Ipaja.

He said building under high tension installations was fraught with grave danger, adding that it also constituted environmental nuisance.

Mr. Bello said government could not afford to watch residents endanger their lives, adding that officials would soon remove the illegal structures.

"In fact, I have instructed the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to deal with that. Ordinarily, how can people erect structures under high tension cable?"

"We have said time and time again that people shouldn't build under the high tension cables and poles because it is dangerous, but they won't listen. And some of these people still ask us for amenities like drainages and so on. Who will ever do that? We are sorry we create drainage under high tension wires," Mr. Bello said.

The Commissioner warned residents against building on flood plains, saying the practice threatened lives and the environment.

He also advised residents against dumping refuse in drains and canals as this could cause flooding. He said the government was building new drains and expanding the capacities of existing canals to prevent flooding.

He appealed to residents to co-operate with government in improving the environment by abiding with environmental laws.

The Chairman of Ayobo/Ipaja Local Council Development Authority, Shakiru Yusuf, said flooding was a major problem in the area.

According to him, most of the residents were confined to their homes most times during rainy seasons as the area was always flooded.

"We, therefore, appeal to the state government to come up with urgent intervention to end this perennial problem," he said.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Ganiyu Johnson, said the government was committed to the transformation of Ipaja/Ayobo and the rest of Alimosho.

He said the ongoing rehabilitation of Ipaja/Ayobo road and execution of other projects demonstrated that commitment.

Mr. Johnson appealed for patience on the road, saying the council was doing everything possible to ensure its early completion.

(NAN)