Sanwo-Olu Tours Flood-hit Lagos Communities, Orders Urgent Drainage Works, Long-term Fixes

Sanwo-Olu Tours Flood-hit Lagos Communities, Orders Urgent Drainage Works, Long-term Fixes

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday embarked on an extensive inspection of flood-ravaged communities in Eti Osa, assuring affected residents of immediate relief measures and long-term infrastructure projects to tackle the persistent flooding that has displaced families, disrupted businesses and submerged roads.

The governor, accompanied by Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab and other members of the State Executive Council, spent more than six hours assessing the devastation in Ogombo, Awoyaya, Sangotedo, Gbetu-Iwerekun and Chevron, where weeks of heavy rainfall left many communities under water.

According to a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the inspection was aimed at evaluating the extent of the damage and identifying both immediate and permanent solutions to the flooding crisis.

Residents used the opportunity to present their grievances, lamenting the destruction of homes, impassable roads and the disruption of commercial activities caused by the slow recession of floodwaters.

Sanwo-Olu sympathised with the affected residents and assured them that the state government had already begun clearing blocked drainage channels and removing obstructions along natural waterways to accelerate the discharge of stormwater.

The governor explained that investigations revealed that much of the flooding resulted from blocked natural tributaries and drainage canals, worsened in several locations by indiscriminate refuse dumping and unapproved developments built on natural water channels, which hindered the free flow of water into the lagoon.

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As an immediate intervention, he announced plans to construct bridge deck systems in low-lying communities such as Ogombo and Gbetu-Iwerekun to facilitate faster drainage, while a comprehensive dredging of the Ikota River and the removal of all encroachments along the river course would provide a lasting solution.

“Over the last two days that we have recorded a slowdown in rainfall, it is important we quickly come out and see where we need to do drainage improvements and additional investment in constructing infrastructure that would help clear the natural water channels,” the governor said.

He noted that although the unprecedented rainfall recorded over the past three weeks contributed significantly to the flooding, human activities had compounded the problem.

“Given the volume of rainfall we have witnessed in the last three weeks, we discovered that the major factor responsible for the flooding is natural occurrence, even though we have done our best to preserve and protect the natural channels of water.

“However, in recent times, we have observed constriction and impediments arising from developments along the natural flow of water.”

Sanwo-Olu said aerial drone footage confirmed that several structures obstructing natural drainage routes were erected without approval, reducing the waterways’ capacity to discharge stormwater into the lagoon.

He also attributed flooding in some locations to extensive land reclamation and soil filling, which trapped water and necessitated mechanical excavation to restore proper drainage.

During his inspection of Chevron Drive, the governor observed that some property developments had blocked critical water channels, resulting in flooding across Victoria Garden City, Ajiran, Osapa London and Orchid Road.

He disclosed that the state government had already commenced the demolition and removal of structures obstructing the Ikota River corridor to reopen key outlets for floodwater.

“If we are able to open these two water outlets, this will significantly relieve the pressure we have seen even from the Orchid and Osapa London axis of Eti Osa. The work is ongoing and we hope these measures will bring lasting solutions to the problem,” Sanwo-Olu said.

 

Sanwo-Olu Tours Flood-hit Lagos Communities, Orders Urgent Drainage Works, Long-term Fixes