By Seyi Odewale
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday led top officials of the Lagos State Government on an extensive inspection of flood-ravaged communities in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, assuring residents of immediate and long-term measures to tackle the recurring menace.
The Governor, accompanied by Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, and members of the State Executive Council, spent more than six hours moving through floodwaters in Ogombo, Awoyaya, Sangotedo, Gbetu-Iwerekun and Chevron areas, which were severely impacted by recent heavy rainfall.
The visit followed widespread flooding that submerged roads, displaced residents and disrupted commercial activities across the affected communities.
Residents used the opportunity to directly engage the Governor, detailing the hardship caused by the flooding and calling for urgent government intervention.
Sanwo-Olu expressed sympathy with victims and assured them that his administration had already commenced emergency actions to ease their plight.
He disclosed that clearing of blocked drainage channels and natural tributaries had begun, while efforts were underway to remove structures and other impediments obstructing the free flow of stormwater.
According to the Governor, investigations revealed that illegal refuse dumping and unapproved developments along natural waterways contributed significantly to the flooding in several locations.
For immediate relief, he said the government would construct bridge deck systems in vulnerable communities such as Ogombo and Gbetu-Iwerekun to facilitate the discharge of floodwater into the lagoon.
The Governor also announced plans for the comprehensive dredging of the Ikota River and the removal of all obstructions along water channels to provide permanent solutions to the problem.
“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,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He attributed much of the flooding to the unprecedented volume of rainfall recorded in recent weeks but stressed that human activities had worsened the situation.
“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,” he said.
“However, in recent times, we have observed constriction and impediments arising from developments along the natural flow of water.”
The Governor revealed that aerial drone assessments showed that several structures erected along drainage paths lacked official approval and had narrowed the natural routes through which floodwater should flow into the lagoon.
In some communities, he explained that desilting activities had created depressions where water settled permanently, necessitating the deployment of heavy machinery for excavation and clearance operations.
Sanwo-Olu also inspected flooding around Chevron Drive, where he said property developments had obstructed critical water channels, leading to the overflow of stormwater into residential estates in Victoria Garden City, Ajiran, Osapa London and Orchid Road.
He disclosed that the state government had already commenced the removal of structures obstructing the Ikota River corridor to create additional outlets for floodwater discharge.
“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 about lasting solutions to the problems,” the Governor stated.
