The Lagos State Government over the weekend feted and rewarded hardworking operatives of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG), urging them to be more committed in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking at the end of the Year 2022/Award of Excellence event held at Alausa, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello said that government would continue to provide the necessary logistics and moral support they require for better service delivery.
He said the EFAG team created in 2004 has been doing a good job in cleaning up secondary drains and manholes in the 52 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas across the state all year round.
While expressing kudos from the State Government for good performance in 2022, Bello said the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also approved 100% 13th-month salary for the EFAG team this December.
He added that a free health insurance policy has been put in place considering the risk they are exposed to in the course of their duties, noting that Lagos did not experience serious flooding this year compared to other states in the country which was as a result of the various measures put in place by the Government and the continuous cleaning of the drains by EFAG.
“I would like to reiterate that you are part of the Government’s structure and as you continue to work harder, more packages would always be put in place. Always bear in mind that hard work brings better welfare packages. I want you to know that to whom much is given much is expected”, he said.
He stressed that the government of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to ensuring a sustainable cleaner, healthier and safer environment for its people.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Joe Igbokwe said the EFAG team members remain the pride of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.
He said the Ministry will continue to give the necessary support to keep up with the tempo at which they worked this year so that a flood-free Lagos will be achieved in 2023.
“I want to assure all members of the EFAG team that government will continue to take good care of you while you take care of the job for sustainability”, he said.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, said the EFAG team cleaned over 624 kilometres of Drainages in 2022, adding that the responsibility of EFAG is to clean drainages in all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas throughout the year for easy passage of rainstorm water.
He said the team played a pivotal role in the State and this made them the heartbeat of the Environment Ministry, stressing that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has therefore procured a good Accident Insurance Policy for them.
“The Accident Insurance Policy covers all unforeseen hazards such as injuries, physical disability or death amongst others that may occur during the course of their duties”, Shodeinde said.
He also disclosed that members of EFAG and three of their family members have been registered under the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS), while the operatives also received their hazard allowance.
Commendation awards and cash gifts were given to outstanding officers of the EFAG team and some of their coordinators.