The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged President Muhammad Buhari to initiate the requisite intervention for the protection of shorelines of Eti-Osa, Lagos island, ibeju lekki, Badagry and others in the state.
The House made this known during the Plenary session held at the chambers on Monday.
It beseeched the Office of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo for the release of the ecological fund to the state.
The Legislature also called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the relevant Ministry to come up with modalities to address the shoreline issues.
In his motion, the prime mover, The Lawmaker representing Eti-Osa constituency 1, Hon. Noheem Adams said that the ocean surge has displaced lots of lives in the areas of Lagos state, noting that a state of emergency should be declared on the communities.
Noheem disclosed that Lagos was excluded from the ecological fund established for the purpose while states such as Abia, Imo, Adamawa, Jigawa, Niger, FCT and others benefitted from it.
“These communities have been displaced due to ocean surge. Our communities are calling on the necessary bodies to save our souls. We need an emergency to be declared in that area.
“Ecological fund was established and one percent set aside to take care of these ecological issues but Lagos state was excluded from the fund.
“The Beneficiaries of the Fund are Abia, Imo, Adamawa, Jigawa, Niger, FCT and others,” Noheem stated.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade said the House Committee on Waterfront should evaluate dredging activities in the state even as they think of how to be involved in championing this course.
Hon. Sanai explained that there is poor disposal of solid waste in the state; hence, the public should be sensitized on its unavoidable effect.
“The Committee on waterfront needs to do a lot by calling for the evaluation of dredging activities in the state.
“The Waterfront Committee should sit back and think of how to be involved in championing this course.
“Poor disposal of solid waste. There should be a resolve to the whole state regarding the improper disposal of solid waste in the state.
“We make an appeal to members of the public to dispose of their waste according to the law.” Sanai said.
Representing Epe Constituency 1, Hon Tobun Abiodun said investigation should be made into how the money previously allocated for the protection of shorelines in the state was utilized.
Tobun said this is necessary so that the problem can be thoroughly addressed.
“We need to investigate money previously allocated for shoreline protection across the states.
“We need to naturally investigate what is going on so that we can put the problem to rest,” Tobun said.
Representing Badagry Constituency 2, Hon Rotimi Olowo stated the need for the communities to be catered for in a bid to prevent them from going into extinction.
Olowo noted that the Federal government cannot be blamed if no application had been made; hence, he called on the Governor to do the needful by applying for the fund as the state cannot do it alone.
“If care is not taken, the communities would be wiped off as they are prone to extinction.
“You cannot blame the federal government if you have not applied for the fund.
“We need to call our Governor to apply for the fund which is under the Vice-President. It is high time we do something about it.
“State government cannot attend to shoreline issues only because it requires huge funds,” Olowo said.
Lawmaker representing Ibeju-Lekki 1, Hon Mojeed Fatai attributed the ocean surge issue to the mismanagement of drainages, adding that a task force should be set up to look into it.
Hon. Fatai noted that the local governments have the right to request for the fund in addendum to what the state can do.
“One of the major problems have to do with the way the drainages are being managed.
“A task force needs to be set up to ensure proper coordination of the activities within the area.
“The local governments also have the right to request for the ecological fund and should not be limited to the state.”He said.
Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, representing Kosofe constituency 1, prayed that illegal dredges around the state should be stopped even as there is need for the government to protect the communities from being submerged.
“We must stop illegal dredges all around the state.
“We need to protect these communities from being submerged.
“We need swift action on the path of the government to address the issue.” Okanlawon said.
Hon Lukman Olumoh, Ajeromi Ifelodun 1, stated the need to assess the behavioural tendencies in order to ensure the adoption of right behaviour.
The Lawmaker also emphasized the need for the relevant House committee to visit these places to know the menace caused by the ocean surge.
“We need to look at our behavioral tendencies to ensure that we adopt the right behaviour.
“We need to visit these places to know the menace of these issues.
“We need to look at the development going on along that shores.” Lukman said.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Buhari Urges MTN For Quality Service, Downward Price Review In Cost Of Data, Other Services
President Muhammadu Buhari Friday at State House Abuja urged the MTN Group to make the available top-of-the-range service to its Nigerian subscribers… Lagos Assembly urges Buhari to initiate requisite intervention for shorelines’ protection in Lagos Lagos Assembly urges Buhari to initiate requisite intervention for shorelines’ protection in Lagos Lagos Assembly urges Buhari to initiate requisite intervention for shorelines’ protection in Lagos Lagos Assembly urges Buhari to initiate requisite intervention for shorelines’ protection in Lagos.
and then