Wasiu Adesina, Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government Council in Lagos State, has issued a stern caution against the careless dumping of refuse into drainages, highlighting the critical need to mitigate the perennial flooding that plagues the area.
Adesina’s concerns were articulated during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ikorodu, Lagos. He stressed that this warning was aimed at reining in residents who have formed a habit of discarding waste in the drainage and canal systems, which are designed to ensure unobstructed water flow and avert flooding.
“Ikorodu is regarded as one of the flood-prone regions of Lagos due to its proximity to the lagoon,” Adesina explained. “That’s why we are putting in our utmost effort to ensure that our drainages are unobstructed for seamless water movement.”
The Sabo market, where the local council has completed road asphalting and overhauled the two-sided drainage system, emerged as one of the areas identified for particular attention. Adesina elaborated, “We’ve also executed drainage clearing and the reconstruction of canals and drainage systems in the Itundumidogaran area. Our efforts span clearing multiple drainages to facilitate the efficient flow of water during heavy rainfall, including areas like Aga, Ita-Elewa Otambala to Ota-Ona road, among others.”
Furthermore, Adesina directed the environment department of the council to identify deteriorated or obstructed drainages and canals for swift remediation, aiming to restore unimpeded water movement. He emphasized the responsibility of car wash business owners and land developers to channel wastewater into the drainage systems, while ensuring that excess sand is properly positioned to avoid obstructing roads and canals.
“The council has undertaken an extensive initiative to fill potholes, rehabilitate, and expand drainages to enhance water flow,” Adesina noted. He appealed to the local population to refrain from damaging the drainage systems and roads with a dismissive attitude toward them as “government property.”
The chairman reiterated his administration’s commitment to rehabilitating the roads in Ikorodu Central, an approach aimed at curbing flooding. He issued instructions for the Works Department of the council to employ quality materials, including asphalt and standard components, for road repairs to ensure their durability.
