- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu inspected the flood-affected Gbetu-Iwerekun Community in Ibeju-Lekki.
- Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa led the Governor and other state officials on an assessment of the affected areas.
- The Lagos State Government assured residents of improved drainage infrastructure and long-term flood control measures.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday visited the flood-affected Gbetu-Iwerekun Community in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government to assess the impact of recent heavy rainfall and reaffirm the State Government’s commitment to implementing lasting flood control measures.
The Governor was received by the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, alongside the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, during the inspection tour.
The visit formed part of the Lagos State Government’s ongoing assessment of flood-prone communities across the state to identify immediate and long-term interventions aimed at improving drainage infrastructure, enhancing water flow and reducing the impact of flooding on residents.
Leading the delegation through the affected areas, Hon. Olowa provided an overview of the flooding situation, highlighting its effects on residents, motorists, businesses and the unique environmental conditions that contribute to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
Governor Sanwo-Olu explained that the recent flooding experienced in parts of Lagos resulted from a combination of natural occurrences and human activities, noting that the volume of rainfall recorded over the past few weeks was unusually high.
“The rainfall we experienced over the last two to three weeks is largely a natural occurrence, and nature will always take its course. However, now that the rains have subsided, we have the opportunity to assess the affected areas and identify the necessary interventions to improve drainage and water management,” the Governor said.
He stated that the visit to Gbetu-Iwerekun was deliberate, as it was important to move beyond the metropolitan areas and gain firsthand knowledge of the environmental challenges confronting riverine and coastal communities.
“We want residents to know that we are not unmindful of their concerns. We will carefully evaluate the issues identified during this inspection and implement the necessary measures to improve drainage infrastructure, protect lives and safeguard property,” Sanwo-Olu added.
The Governor also appealed to residents to support government efforts by protecting drainage channels and avoiding activities that obstruct the free flow of water, stressing that effective flood management requires collective responsibility.
Hon. Olowa commended the Governor for the visit and the continued attention given to environmental challenges affecting Ibeju-Lekki, expressing confidence that the planned interventions would provide lasting relief to residents.
The inspection further underscored the strong collaboration between the Lagos State Government and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government in addressing environmental challenges and delivering sustainable infrastructure projects that enhance the quality of life of residents.
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