The Lagos State Government has commenced the clearing and desilting of the Ogombo canal as part of efforts to ease flooding in communities affected by recent heavy rainfall in Eti-Osa and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Areas.
The intervention followed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s inspection of flood-affected communities, during which he directed the sustained dredging, excavation and expansion of drainage channels to improve the free flow of stormwater.
The governor also announced plans to review the master plans of flood-prone communities to identify and address developments obstructing natural drainage channels.
Disclosing the development on Thursday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the state had deployed a swamp buggy to the Ogombo canal to commence the clearing and desilting of the drainage channel.
According to him, the exercise is aimed at widening and deepening the canal to improve the free flow of stormwater, enhance the drainage capacity of the channel and accelerate the recession of floodwaters in the affected communities.
The government said the intervention forms part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen flood control infrastructure and reduce the impact of heavy rainfall across the state.