The Nigerian Railway Corporation ( NRC) has announced a massive support from the Lagos State Government on the Construction of the Carter – Railway Drainage Channel to deflood the entire Ebute – Meta railway compound as well as parts of Olaleye and adjoining communities.
The support was announced at a stakeholders meeting held at the railway premises in Lagos, where officials of the Lagos State Government disclosed that a contract has been awarded for the construction of the Carter – Railway Channel ( System 4 ) within Lagos Mainland Local Government Area.
In a statement on behalf of the Management signed by Callistus Uyimadu, the Corporation’s Chief Public Relations Officer, in an X post revealed that the project involves the construction of reinforced concrete drainage channel running from Murtala Muhammed Way, Ebute – Meta through the Nigerian Railway Corporation corridor to confluence point at Iponri on Western Avenue.
The Director of Drainage Services in the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Engr. Adedapo Ajadi, while briefing the stakeholders about the project said, it will permanently resolve the perennial flooding that has been a major menace to residents of the Nigerian Railway Corporation compound, and adjoining communities.
Among stakeholders in attendance at the meeting: Railway Corporation and other tenants which included: St. Saviour School, the CCECC quarters, Nigerian Railway Corporation staff quaters, NTA Channel 10 compound, churches, mosques, NRC stations, Locomotive yards, the Railway Museum.
Others were the Federal Medical Centre General Hospital, the Federal Medical Centre Cancer Hospitals, both at Ebute – Meta, the Mainland Local Government and Ojez Limited. The rest are Manufacturing and Industrial and MSME concerns.
Ajadi, who led a four – man delegation from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, appealed to the Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation to ensure maximum cooperation during the duration of the construction which is said would be about 18 months.
The Director noted that work will soon commence on the project and added that the Infrastructure, upon completion will become an asset of the Corporation.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, in the statement, commended the initiative and assured the Lagos State Government of the Corporation’s full cooperation to ensure the successful execution of the project, which is said will run into billion of Naira.
He assured that the corporation and other stakeholders would take ownership of the project as it would greatly help in deflooding the railway compound and adjoining communities.
Agatha Usman, who represented St. Saviour School, lamented the menace that the yearly flood had caused the School. According to her, everyone in the school are always apprehensive once the rain begins, as everywhere in the school was always flooded. She said the school is happy that the State government is coming with a permanent solutions to it.
Mr. Taiye Olaniyi, speaking for Railway Museum, lauded the State government for finally coming to the aid of the Nigerian Railway Corporation. He said this would help in addressing the issue of flooding in the railway community.
The Managing Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Dr. Sam Oguine thanked the Lagos State Government for finally remembering people living in the Mainland part of the State. He said the channel will no doubt help preserve the Institution.
A joint inspection of the corridor was thereafter carried out to assess the alignment and identify affected area by Director from various Nigerian Railway Corporation department and representatives of the corporation’s in – house Unions.
