Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and members of the State Executive Council, on Wednesday waded through knee-deep, murky floodwaters to assess the devastating impact of recent flooding in Ogombo and other communities in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area. The governor’s unscheduled inspection tour, which also covered Monastery Road in Sangotedo, Chevron Drive, Ajiran, Gbetu-Olorunkemi Road in Awoyaya, and other areas in the Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area, was aimed at obtaining first-hand information on the flooding situation and identifying immediate and long-term solutions. Standing in floodwaters at Awoyaya, Sanwo-Olu attributed the disaster to a combination of climate-induced heavy rainfall and human activities that have obstructed natural waterways.
The governor expressed alarm at the level of destruction caused by the floodwaters, noting that while the volume of rainfall recorded over the past three to four weeks was unusually high, indiscriminate developments, blocked drainage systems, and encroachment on wetlands had significantly worsened the situation. “In all the places we visited today, there is a natural occurrence, and there is also a human factor. Over the years, developments have come to meet natural bodies of water, while in some places people have illegally restricted the natural flow of waterways,” he said. He stressed that many of the affected channels have existed for decades and were originally designed by nature to convey stormwater into the Lagos Lagoon, but increasing urbanisation has reduced their capacity.
Sanwo-Olu assured residents that the government would intensify dredging, excavation, and the clearing of blocked drainage channels to restore the free flow of water. “We need to come regularly to excavate and clear these channels so there will be a free flow of water. Once the waterways are maintained, the water will eventually find its way into the lagoon,” he stated. He announced that the government would also build new bridges and drainage infrastructure to provide a lasting solution to the recurring flooding in the area. Describing the flooding as one of the visible impacts of climate change, the governor said, “Climate change is real, and we are seeing heavier rainfall across the world. We cannot stop the rain, but we can continue to improve our infrastructure to manage it”.
The governor called on residents to support government efforts by keeping drainage channels free of refuse and complying with environmental regulations, stressing that tackling flooding requires collective responsibility. “If your kitchen sink is blocked with waste, water will not flow freely. The same thing happens when our drainage channels are filled with refuse or other materials. It is our responsibility to remove those obstructions,” he said. He also sympathised with families whose homes and property were affected, assuring them that the government was assessing the extent of the damage and would provide necessary relief. He advised residents in flood-prone areas to move to safer, higher ground as more rainfall is expected.
The on-ground assessment comes as Lagos continues to grapple with seasonal flooding exacerbated by days of persistent rainfall. Several roads in the community remained submerged, forcing residents to use canoes to ferry people across flooded sections. The affected residents appealed to the Lagos State Government to implement immediate and long-term flood control measures to enable them to return to their homes, businesses, and normal daily activities. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has issued a flood advisory, warning that 14 states, including Lagos, may experience a medium flood risk between July 14 and July 20. The state government had earlier directed the dredging of 28 additional primary channels across the state to improve water flow and reduce future risks.
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