The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced major intervention by the Lagos State Government with the award of a contract for the construction of the Carter-Railway Drainage Channel (System 4) to permanently address flooding within the Ebute-Meta railway compound and adjoining communities.
The announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the railway premises in Lagos, where officials of the Lagos State Government confirmed that the drainage infrastructure project will be executed within the Lagos Mainland Local Government Area.
The project involves the construction of a reinforced concrete drainage channel stretching from Murtala Muhammed Way, Ebute-Meta, through the Nigerian Railway Corporation corridor, to a confluence point at Iponri on Western Avenue.
Briefing stakeholders, the Director of Drainage Services in the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Engr. Adedapo Ajadi, stated that the project is designed to permanently resolve the perennial flooding that has plagued the NRC compound, parts of Olaleye community and other adjoining areas.
According to him, the construction is expected to last approximately 18 months, after which the completed infrastructure will become an asset of the Corporation.
Ajadi, who led a four-man delegation from the Ministry, appealed to the management of the NRC and other occupants within the corridor to cooperate fully to ensure seamless execution of the multi-billion naira project.
Stakeholders present at the meeting included representatives of St. Saviour’s School, CCECC quarters, NRC staff quarters, NTA Channel 10 compound, churches, mosques, NRC stations, locomotive yards, the Railway Museum, the Federal Medical Centre (General Hospital), the FMC Cancer Centres in Ebute-Meta, OJez Limited, as well as several manufacturing, industrial and MSME operators within the corridor.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, commended the Lagos State Government for the intervention and assured of the Corporation’s full cooperation.
He noted that the project would significantly mitigate flooding challenges that have long affected railway infrastructure, staff quarters and neighbouring communities.
“The Corporation and all stakeholders will take ownership of this project. It will greatly assist in deflooding the railway compound and surrounding communities”, he stated.
Speaking on behalf of St. Saviour’s School, Agatha Usman described the yearly flooding as a major source of anxiety for pupils and staff.
“Each time it rains, everywhere in the school becomes flooded. We are truly relieved that the state government is providing a permanent solution”, she said.
Similarly, Mr. Taiye Olaniyi, representing the Railway Museum, applauded the initiative, noting that the drainage project would finally address persistent flooding in the railway community.
The Medical Director of the FMC, Dr. Sam Oguine, also expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, stating that the channel would help safeguard critical health infrastructure in the Mainland area.
Following the meeting, directors from various NRC departments and representatives of the Corporation’s in-house unions conducted a joint inspection of the proposed drainage corridor to assess alignment and identify potentially affected areas.