BREAKING NEWS: Govt officials visit Ikorodu drainage site, console flood victims

 

A screenshot of a flooded community in Ijede, Ikorodu. | Credit: X (ChuksEricE)

Officials of the Lagos State Government on Thursday visited Ikorodu communities affected by the recent flash flood after over 13 hours of rainfall, sympathising with victims and assuring them of prompt intervention to address the situation.

During the inspection of the ongoing Ikorodu drainage infrastructure project, the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the completed project would resolve the area’s long-standing flooding issues.

He noted that the rainfall recorded on Monday and Tuesday was highly unusual.

He said, “What happened here is from nature, the effect 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.

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

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

He said the inspection team, which included officials from the Ministry of Special Duties, assessed humanitarian needs and evaluated ongoing efforts in Ijede and surrounding communities.

The government, he noted, was committed to ensuring the contractor expedites work while keeping to the project timeline, especially as many of the affected areas lie on floodplains.

Akodu also urged residents to adopt better environmental habits, especially in waste disposal.

“We must also ensure that we avoid encroachment on road infrastructure, especially the right-of-way.

“We should be reminded that what goes around comes around. If a problem arises from negative human elements, it is going to affect everybody,” he warned.