Lagos Govt Officials Assess Damages Caused By Flood In Ikorodu

Top officials of the Lagos State Government on Thursday visited flood-hit areas of Ikorodu to assess the extent of damage caused by a recent 13-hour downpour.

THE WHISTLER reports that the Ijede area of Ikorodu was hit by flash floods, resulting in the destruction of properties reportedly worth millions.

The team toured several sites to evaluate progress on ongoing drainage infrastructure projects and to determine urgent measures needed to mitigate the impact of flash flooding.

Addressing journalists during the visit, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, noted that the intense rainfall witnessed earlier in the week was of a rare magnitude, one likely to occur only once in decades.

He linked the incident to climate change and stressed the importance of resilient infrastructure.

“What happened here is from nature, the effects of climate change is real, and that is why we’re all out to see that we ensure the optimal functioning of our resilient infrastructures to tackle these challenges,” he said.

“We are here to also assess the level of damages and to check how far the on going drainage project has gone and what we can quickly put in place to mitigate the pains and alleviate the problems.”

He also conveyed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s sympathy to those whose homes and properties were affected by the flood, assuring them that the government was working to ease their burden and prevent future occurrences.

“We are here to convey Mr. Governor’s message of sympathy to the people affected through dislocation as well as properties damaged and lost,” Akodu noted.

The Special Adviser emphasised that once the ongoing drainage projects in Ikorodu are completed, the issue of recurrent flooding would be drastically reduced.

He also urged residents to take personal responsibility by avoiding indiscriminate waste disposal, which often clogs the drains.

Accompanying the team was the Lagos State House of Assembly member representing Ikorodu II, Hon. Abiodun Moshood, who clarified that the drainage project had not been abandoned as claimed by some residents. According to him, the project has a 12-month timeline and is currently six months in.

The Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, said the visit allowed the government to gather accurate information and statistics to guide humanitarian responses to the situation.

The state government reiterated its commitment to completing the drainage infrastructure within schedule and pledged support to affected communities.

Source: TheWhistler | Continue to Full Story…