The Lagos State Government has approved the payment of a 13th-month salary for operatives of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang, a unit under the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, in the state.

According to a Sunday statement by the spokesperson for the ministry, this was disclosed over the weekend by the Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, at a meeting with the operatives.

Wahab charged the workers not to rest on their laurels but to target improved service delivery for a flood-free Lagos.

Addressing all the operatives who assembled at the Blueroof Hall, LTV Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Wahab said the state recognised the work EFAG operatives were doing to free black spots and prevent flash flooding.

He said the state would continue to provide the necessary logistics and support for the officials for effective discharge of their duties.

“While commending the team for a job well done in cleaning up secondary drains and manholes in the 57 local government areas and local council development areas, Wahab hinted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved the payment of 13th-month salary for EFAG team at the end of each year,” the statement read.

He explained that considering the risk they were exposed to in the course of their duties, the state government had also put in place an adequate health care system for them through the Lagos State Health Management Agency.

“I would like to express my utmost appreciation to the EFAG team; without the team, Lagos will experience flash floods, the government would continue to support you with good welfare packages, all I want from you is to continue to work hard for a flood free and sustainable environment because to whom much is given, much is expected,” Wahab said

He said the ministry would continue to give the necessary support needed for them to keep up with the tempo at which they worked all the time so that a flood-free Lagos would be achieved.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mahamood Adegbite, noted that Lagos in recent times had not experienced serious flooding, saying this was a result of the various measures put in place by the government and the continuous cleaning of the drains by the EFAG Team.

In response, a member of the EFAG team and the Area Manager, Surulere, Bukonla Meadows, expressed appreciation to the government for always giving the team the necessary support.

Last week, workers of the ministry cleared the flooded Freedom Way Junction in the Lekki area of the state following a social media alert.

This was made known in a statement by Wahab on Tuesday.