through the provision of road infrastructure. A lot of resources are committed to replacing these manholes, but not long after they are replaced, they are removed.”
The Permanent Secretary also lamented the cost implications of the repeated vandalism of the flood containment equipment, noting that the administration could not continue to fund the replacements, in the face of scarce resources and other competing interests. “In one kilometre, we can have more than 20, 30 floodwater covers, gully inlet covers, and maybe one, two or three manhole covers, and each gully inlet costs not less than N500,000. Now, if you multiply this by 20 kilometres, 80 kilometres, or 200 kilometres, you know what this translates to. And this is in the face of very competing needs for the meagre resources that we have. This underscores the need for everyone to support the efforts of the government to protect this road infrastructure.
He also urged members of the public to desist from dumping waste and refuse in the flood drains, adding that “these gully inlets are not dumpsites for our wastes” and that flood waters would easily dry up in five minutes if the drains are not blocked by refuse.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.