- Large-scale canal channelization and desilting exercise ongoing in key corridors
- Government emphasizes proactive flood prevention and environmental safety
- Residents commend visible improvements and sustained intervention
In a bold and timely intervention aimed at preventing the perennial challenges of flooding, the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government has intensified its canal channelization and drainage desilting exercise, bringing renewed hope to residents across affected communities.
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Eko Hot Blog reports that the large-scale environmental operation, currently ongoing along the Gbetu–Olowopopo–Ogunfayo corridor, forms a critical part of the council’s preparedness strategy ahead of the rainy season.
Top government officials, including members of the Executive Cabinet, were on site to monitor the progress of work, led by the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG), Hon. Adewale Adebanjo, who represented the Executive Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa.
Speaking on the significance of the intervention, the SLG stressed its far-reaching impact on public safety and environmental sustainability, stating that “this project is not just about clearing canals, it is about protecting lives, preserving property, and ensuring that our communities remain safe and habitable during the rainy season.”
He further emphasized that the administration remains committed to proactive governance, noting that “we are determined to stay ahead of environmental challenges by taking deliberate and timely actions that will prevent disasters rather than respond to them.”
Providing further technical insight into the exercise, the Supervising Councillor for Works and Environment, Hon. Temitope Sofwan Ogungbo, described the initiative as a sustained annual effort that has become a hallmark of the current administration. According to him, “this is not the first time we are carrying out this exercise; it has been a yearly intervention since the inception of Hon. Olowa’s administration.”
He revealed that the canals had become heavily obstructed due to a combination of natural vegetation and indiscriminate waste disposal, both of which pose serious environmental threats. “The canal has been blocked by vegetation and refuse, and if left unattended, it can lead to severe flooding that will affect lives and livelihoods,” he explained.
Ogungbo noted that the project has been carefully structured to span three weeks, allowing for a thorough and lasting solution. He added that “our goal is to ensure that all waterways are properly cleared and that water flows freely into the river, preventing any form of backflow into residential areas.”
Highlighting the dual causes of the blockage, he stressed that while vegetation growth is a natural occurrence beyond human control, human negligence in waste disposal significantly worsens the situation.
“One of the causes is natural, which is vegetation, but the other is the mismanagement of waste by residents. That is why we are being proactive by deploying heavy-duty equipment, including tractors, to clear and channel the canals effectively,” he said.
He also issued a strong advisory to residents, warning that “dumping refuse into canals or the environment is extremely dangerous and poses a serious threat to the entire community. We must all take responsibility for keeping our environment clean.”
The council further disclosed that the ongoing exercise will be extended to other canals across Ibeju-Lekki, ensuring a comprehensive approach to flood prevention before the rains fully set in.
Meanwhile, residents have continued to express appreciation for the consistent efforts of the administration. A resident of Gbetu, Mr. Kamilu Okutameji, reflected on the transformation experienced in the area, stating that “before Hon. Olowa became chairman, we used boats to access our homes due to flooding, but that has now become a thing of the past.”
He praised the Chairman’s commitment, adding that “he has made it a duty to clear and channel the canal every year before the rains, and this has greatly improved our living conditions and brought relief to the community.”
The ongoing intervention marks the fifth phase of canal channelization under the present administration, reinforcing its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, flood control, and the overall well-being of residents.
