The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the Lagos State government’s support for the construction of the Carter Railway drainage channel to deflood the Ebute-Meta railway compound.

The NRC managing director, Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting the project would also benefit Olaleye and adjoining communities.

The project entails a reinforced concrete drainage channel from Murtala Muhammed Way, Ebute-Meta, through the NRC corridor to Iponri.

Mr Opeifa said Lagos officials revealed at a stakeholders’ meeting that the contract for the Carter Railway Channel, System Four, had been awarded within Lagos Mainland.

He commended the initiative and pledged the corporation’s cooperation on the multibillion-naira project to ensure smooth and successful execution.

“I assure that the corporation and other stakeholders will take ownership of the project, as it will greatly help deflood the railway compound and adjoining communities,” Mr Opeifa said.

The director of drainage services at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Adedapo Ajadi, said the project would permanently resolve perennial flooding in the area.

Mr Ajadi appealed to the NRC management for maximum cooperation, adding that construction would last about 18 months.

“Work will soon commence, and the infrastructure, upon completion, will become an asset of the corporation,” he said.

Agatha Usman, representing St Saviour School, said residents are always apprehensive once the rains begin and praised the Lagos State government for its intervention.

Taiye Olaniyi of the Railway Museum lauded the government for finally assisting the NRC to tackle flooding within the railway community.

Sam Oguine, the medical director of the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Meta, said the channel would protect public health and thanked the government for supporting mainland residents.

Officials later conducted a joint inspection of the corridor to assess alignment and identify affected areas across NRC departments and in-house unions.

(NAN)