The
Federal Government Friday explained that the flooding on portions of
the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was caused by structures built on water
channels by some companies along the road even as it has directed the
contractor handling the flooded portion to provide more palliatives to
ameliorate the difficulties caused to motorists by the development.
In
a statement explaining the cause of the flooding at a portion of the
road opposite the Mountain Top University (MFM) in Ogun State where
construction is currently ongoing, the Government said the structures
blocking the channels include those built by Hi-Impact Hotel and Parks
and Buildwell Plants and Equipment Company as well as various
Warehouses.
It
said the flooding at the portion became severe because the various
structures built along the road had blocked the water channels through
which runoffs were to flow away from the road adding that the water
retention spot of the whole area had been blocked off by building on the
wet zones.
The
Statement explained that these locations which are now built up, were
the drainage basins where surface runoff was directed when the road was
built about 40 years ago.
According
to the Statement, the flooding has also been accentuated by the fact
that some of the communities in the area discharge their runoffs to the
road where drains are yet to be provided adding that the rains have also
been unusually heavy in the past few days, thereby undermining the
palliative efforts recently done by the contractor.
Meanwhile,
the contractor has been directed by the Minister of Power,Works and
Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN to carry out more palliative works to
reduce the effect of the flooding while appealing for patience and
understanding among motorists and other road users as rehabilitation and reconstruction work on the Expressway progresses.
HAKEEM BELLO
SPECIAL ADVISER,
COMMUNICATIONS
TO THE HON. MINISTER
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