FG Set To Re-design Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. cc @DrJoeAbah

Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu

The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has disclosed that the Federal Government might re-design some portions of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that are susceptible to flooding.

While speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) national conference in Abuja, Adamu said the low level of some portions of the expressway was of concern to the Federal Government.

“The possibility of having the Lagos-Ibadan expressway being washed away is a serious matter to the government. The thing about nature is that it is difficult to conquer but the government will try to ensure things are done to curtail the extent of the damage.

With particular reference to Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the government will have to look at the design of those portions that are affected and probably begin to raise the level of the road at those points so that a lot of disruptions to traffic as well as the destruction of property are not caused,” he said.

 Adamu also stated that government had perfected plans to rejuvenate some idle dams in the country, saying: “We have been looking at re-directing the usage of dams, especially those owned by the River Basins dams.

This re-directing will entail using the dams for other purposes apart from the original purposes. So, if we can no longer use the land for the original purpose of hydro or irrigation, we would be able to use it for fish production.”

A former Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Ogunbambi Adeniyi, said some of the estates in the Isheri area of the road were being washed away while most of the inhabitants were moving to other areas due to constant flooding.

President of the NSE, Otis Anyaeji, also stated that there was a need for Nigeria to move swiftly to address the challenges associated with water provision in the face of tasks posed by climate change. (Biz Watch Nigeria)