By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday inspected flood-affected communities in the Eti Osa area of the state, assuring residents of immediate relief measures and long-term solutions to address recurring flooding.
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 touring flooded communities, including Ogombo, Awoyaya, Sangotedo, Gbetu-Iwerekun, Chevron and surrounding areas severely impacted by recent heavy rainfall.
The inspection was aimed at assessing the extent of the flooding and identifying practical measures to mitigate its impact on affected residents.
Several roads and homes in the low-lying communities were submerged after heavy rainfall, forcing some residents to evacuate, while business activities were disrupted as floodwaters remained stagnant.
During the visit, residents engaged directly with the governor, outlining the challenges they faced following the flooding.
Sanwo-Olu sympathised with affected residents and assured them that the state government had already commenced clearing drainage channels and removing obstructions blocking natural waterways.
He said investigations revealed that the flooding was largely caused by blocked natural tributaries, illegal dumping of refuse into drainage systems, and unapproved developments along water channels, which prevented stormwater from flowing freely into the lagoon.
As an immediate intervention, the governor announced plans to construct bridge deck systems in vulnerable communities such as Ogombo and Gbetu-Iwerekun to improve water drainage into the lagoon.
He also disclosed that the government would carry out a comprehensive dredging of the Ikota River and remove all obstructions along water channels to provide a permanent solution to flooding in the area.
“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 improve drainage and invest in infrastructure that will help restore the natural water channels,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He noted that although the volume of rainfall in recent weeks contributed to the flooding, unapproved developments that encroached on natural waterways had worsened the situation.
According to the governor, drone footage from the affected communities showed that several illegal structures had narrowed the natural flow of water into the lagoon.
Sanwo-Olu also linked flooding in some locations to poor desilting, where water remained trapped in the soil, saying heavy machinery would be deployed to excavate and restore proper drainage.
The governor further inspected flood-prone areas along Chevron Drive, where he said property developments had blocked water channels, resulting in flooding across Victoria Garden City, Ajiran, Osapa London and Orchid Road.
He disclosed that the state government had begun removing structures obstructing the Ikota River channel to restore water flow.
“If we are able to open these two water outlets, it will significantly reduce the pressure we have seen around the Orchid and Osapa London axis of Eti Osa. The work is ongoing, and we are confident these measures will provide lasting solutions,” he said.
