By Olasunkanmi Akoni
LAGOS — President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, directed the Ecological Fund Office in the Presidency to work out modalities for the release of ecological fund to Lagos State Government with a view to finding immediate and necessary solutions to the flood that has continued to ravage the metropolis.

This came as Lagos State Government has awarded contracts for the upgrading of all identified canals, noting that it will require billions of Naira to effectively solve the traumatic problems of flooding in the state.

Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office in the Presidency, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, who, yesterday, led a delegation of Federal Government officials along with the state Commissioners for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello and Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed on an assessment tour of the worst hit flooded areas in Lagos State, expressed the readiness of the Federal Government to collaborate with the Lagos State Government as part of intervention measure to forestall future occurrence.

Some of the areas visited by the delegation included: Elere channel, Oko-Oba channel both by old Abattoir, Abeokuta Expressway, Agege; Casso Bus-stop, along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway; Down Stream, Oko-Oba/Aboru channels at Pleasure, Iyana-Ipaja; Arigbanla channel, Oke-Koto by Alfa Nla Street as well as some beaches in Lekki where the Atlantic Ocean has eroded several meters of land.

Answering questions from newsmen, Odusote assured that the President would expedite action to ensure prompt implementation of recommended solutions, even if it meant by-passing some bureaucratic processes.

Also, speaking with newsmen, Bello who said the state government required billions of Naira to combat flood menace in the state, explained that the flood’s devastating impact had jolted the state government to the reality of the inadequacies of its present drainage system. He added that the state government has applied to the Federal Government for aid, through the Ecological Fund Office.

He also disclosed that the state government has commenced demolition of all marked structures built on or along canals and water channels. He listed the areas to include, Ajegunle, Surulere, Obalende, Oshodi, Apapa, Epe among others.

Bello also announced that the state government has awarded various contracts to experts on the upgrading of various canals saying the state government would not wait for FG’s intervention alone even as he described the intervention as a welcome development.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/07/flood-jonathan-directs-release-of-ecological-fund-to-lagos/

Most of which will end up in the pockets of the dubious politicians.

At least they know that drainage is the issue and not mammy water.
monkeys

Must the president direct before funds are released?

Why cant ministries/parastatals, and people in charge do things without waiting for the presidential directive.

^^
OK, Thanks

I thought there is modalities in place for funds to be released by the person in charge in case of emergencies/eventuality

Critics where are u, to be frank with you guys, i am not a fan of GEJ in anyway, but i sincerely believe that the man needs a little time before we will write him off. For me at least and half years be fore we can judge.

oludashmi:

That is if they even release the fund. They just say it and it dies there.

What did Fashola do with the N1 billion ecological fund released for him last year because of the Ikorodu flood? Do you see anything going on there except sand-filling with mud

He will release it again, and they will chop it again, and keep deceiving us with Fashola's smiling face. In fact, the bobo is beginning to remind me of Babangida, the smiling devil.

FG need not release funds for Lagos lack of proper drainage. It is not an ecological disaster nor is it a natural disaster, simply a lack of proper drainage.

Bayelsa should also ask for funds cos they stay "flooded" by natural causes all year round. Hehehe

Why does GEJ have to wait until after the ACN condemns him for not visiting lagos after flood before this action. Guess he is in deep thoughts about Boko Haram. LMAO

thats bonus for them!

Ibime:

FG need not release funds for Lagos lack of proper drainage. It is not an ecological disaster nor is it a natural disaster, simply a lack of proper drainage.

Bayelsa should also ask for funds cos they stay "flooded" by natural causes all year round. Hehehe

if him no release wahala, if him release problem.

as the saying goes "A cockroach can never be innocent in a gathering of fowls"

Lets see how far that goes in alleviating the very difficult situation in Lagos.

How come this was not a front page news item in the media?

hackney:

At least they know that drainage is the issue and not mammy water.
monkeys

superstitious believe hav brain wash Africans as a whole very sad that why they lack physical development

Release of funds, about time that was done.

odiaero:

That is th work of the President, u dont expect ministers to start releasing money without orders to do so

big lie, ministries or departments have budget. The money is meant to be spend according to the operatus merandi of the ministry. Now if it is somthing bigger than the ministry then the presido can step in and give special orders, But normally presido dont need to release money for eveything

igbo boy:

big lie, ministries or departments have budget. The money is meant to be spend according to the operatus merandi of the ministry. Now if it is somthing bigger than the ministry then the presido can step in and give special orders, But normally presido dont need to release money for eveything

Thank you, my thoughts exactly.