…As Officials Inspect Ongoing Drainage Projects, Vow Timely Completion
In response to the recent flash floods that affected several communities in Ikorodu, the Lagos State Government on Thursday conducted an on-the-spot assessment and sympathy visit to the impacted areas.
Led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, the team visited critical sites to evaluate the extent of damage and inspect ongoing drainage infrastructure aimed at curbing perennial flooding.
Engr. Rotimi-Akodu, speaking after the tour, expressed the government’s deep sympathy to residents affected by the flood, which followed over 13 hours of intense rainfall.
He assured the public that measures are already in place to manage flash flooding effectively and that once the ongoing drainage projects are completed, flooding challenges in Ikorodu will be significantly reduced.
Highlighting the impact of climate change, the Special Adviser explained that the heavy rainfall recorded earlier in the week was of an intensity rarely seen in decades. “What happened was an extreme natural occurrence.
Climate change is real, and that’s why the government is committed to strengthening resilient infrastructure to reduce future risks,” he said.He added that the inspection team also included officials from the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, who assessed the humanitarian needs of residents, especially in Ijede and surrounding areas.
The government, he emphasized, will ensure that contractors expedite the drainage construction to bring urgent relief while staying on schedule.
The lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Aro Abiodun, who joined the inspection, dismissed claims that the drainage project was abandoned.
He clarified that the project is ongoing and on track, with six months left in its 12-month schedule. He expressed confidence that the completion of the two-phase project would bring lasting solutions to flooding in the area.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, also emphasized the government’s commitment to gathering accurate data to inform necessary humanitarian interventions.
He noted that the visit was crucial in understanding the situation on the ground and tailoring government response appropriately.
The team visited several construction sites including the outfall channel at Gberigbe Road, Okeletu Road, Unity Estate, Gbopa, Abule-Eko, and Palm Avenue Collector Drain at Oke-Eletu, Ijede and Igbogbo.
Residents were urged to cooperate with the government by refraining from dumping waste in drains and encroaching on the right-of-way of public infrastructure.
Rotimi-Akodu concluded by encouraging residents to adopt environmentally responsible practices, emphasizing that everyone has a role to play in reducing the impact of flooding. “We must change our habits towards waste disposal and infrastructure encroachment; the environment gives back what we put into it,” he said.
