LAGOS BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF MAGODO-SHANGISHA DRAINAGE CANAL

According to the Chief Executive Officer of LSPWC, Engineer Ayotunde Sodeinde, the corporation is currently working on the long stretch of the Magodo-Shagisha drainage canal embedded in a gorge in order to ease the flow of rainwater and domestic discharge from residential buildings within the neighbourhood.

He noted that, the newly constructed drainage canal will serve as a collector drain for water flowing from all the tributary drainages, which would discharge into the Alapere Canal for onward flow into the Lagoon.

Sodeinde said the height of the collector drain measuring about 1.5m on both sides, with a basement measuring about 5m wide needed to be constructed due to terrible danger caused by the gorge in the last four years to residents and motorist, citing a recent incident where an “Okada rider” fell into the gorge as a result of the failed portion of the road.

The LSPWC Boss stated further that following the directive of the Governor, “we have moved into the site two weeks ago. Initially, we did palliative work there but later discovered it required total construction. We noticed that the triple cell drain which transports water to the Alapere Canal before entering the lagoon may collapse anytime, this has necessitated the construction of retaining wall to stabilize the drain from collapsing.”

The Chief Executive Officer also pointed out that a 4ft walk-way will be built around the drain to protect the people; stressing that all the adjoining street drains around the neighbourhood will be cleared to ease the flow of rain water and other domestic discharge from Magodo and Shangisha environs.

A resident, Pastor Joseph Adeoye described the situation around the area as pathetic saying, “when it rains, the entire area become flooded, but I was full of joy when Governor Ambode directed the Lagos State Public Works Corporation to step in. In just two weeks, you can see the level of work carried out on the drainage. This is incredible, we are very happy.”

The LSPWC boss however disclosed that the entire drainage project will be completed in eight weeks.