…Urges protection of property
By Eben Enasco
Oredo Government Council on Sunday began the evacuation of desilted drains at the popular Lagos Street in Benin City and its environs, as part of its commitment to address the issue of flood in the area.
This is coming weeks after the Council Chairman Dr. Tom Obaseki held a one-day interface meeting sometime in February 2024, with Traders and inhabitants of the street in Oredo Government Council.
The meeting, held at the instance of the Council Chief was aimed at finding a lasting solution to the indiscriminate waste disposal identified as the main cause of floods in the metropolis.
Speaking during the evacuation exercise, the Executive Chairman of Oredo Government Council, Dr. Tom Obaseki said after the meeting of February, the work has commenced expressing his satisfaction over the traders’ collaboration and commitment to carry out the desilting works.
He explained that it is the responsibility of the government to provide facilities for the citizens, just as he charged them to protect the facilities and property provided by the authority.
He enjoined residents to continue to partner with the government in the realization of a healthy environment.
His words: “What has happened today is that the traders and residents have embarked on the evacuation and desilting of the drains while we provided support for them.”
Obaseki noted: “It is not going to stop here because we have informed them to stop all forms of indiscriminate waste disposal that have blocked the erosion passage resulting in a high flood around here which shouldn’t be happening in a place like Lagos Street.”
“You know Lagos Street has a lot of stone water drains around this environment and the flooding around the area is man-made and we have mandated all of them to set up their team to stop further littering of the street.
“You can see the massive litter and several tones and this is a collaboration we have today.” he quipped.
The Council Chairman believes that after the collaboration between the Community and the Council, the flooding being experienced on Lagos Street will be a thing of the past.
On his part, the Secretary of the Lagos Traders Union, Monday Ologbosele said there is no better time to carry out the desilting tasks given the support they have received from the council Chairman, adding that the massive tonnes of drains de-silted during the exercise is an attestation to a working partnership.
He pledged the union’s continued commitment to Dr. Tom Obasekis-led council’s plans of making Lagos Street and by extension Oredo Council a conducive place for habitation.
Also speaking, the head of the Hausa community in Edo State, Alhaji Badamasi Saleh, praised the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and the Council chairman for their foresight, especially as the rain set in.
Alhaji Saleh said despite the work starting some two to three weeks ago, he is surprised by the kind of support from the Council Chairman and his work rate, adding that it is a testament to genuine interest in the issues concerning the people.
Recall that Dr. Tom Obaseki also launched the Project, Clean & Green Oredo themed; “Beat Plastic Waste” on Monday, March 4, 2024, which seeks collaboration from stakeholders to ensure steps are taken to avert dangers posed by the effects of prevailing floods in the metropolis.
Supervisors for Health & Environment, Hon. Raymond Olaye, For Works, Hon. Smart Izevbigie, Councilor representing wards 12 Hon Etiosa and Harison Oronsaye, HOD for Information attended the exercise.
