Flooding: Sanwo-Olu warns against dumping of refuse in drainage channels

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos state governor, has frowned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels. 

The governor gave the warning while briefing journalists during the four-day 2023 onboarding retreat for members of the state executive council, body of permanent secretaries, and heads of some agencies and parastatals, in Epe.

Some parts of Lagos were submerged last weekend after hours of rainfall.

Sanwo-Olu expressed concerns over the development, while noting that residents had been alerted about heavy rains.

“We all knew too well, and notices have been given of late rains, heavy rains and it is that time of the year where we cannot control nature, it will rain, so we can’t do anything about rain falling, especially at this time,” he said.

“You have seen it in all parts of the world, it rains, it floods, we are not immune to it, we actually are below the sea level, one-third of Lagos is water, and so, that water will come and it will be heavy during the rainy season.

“So that is nature and we need to be able to live with that and understand that we are in a coastal state.

“Beyond that is to talk about our ways of life, which is to talk about drainages. That is a concern for all of us.”

Speaking on failed portions of roads in Ikotun, Igando and other parts of the state, Sanwo-Olu assured residents of prompt intervention, while seeking media support.

“When we begin to do all these difficult things, we are hoping that you (the media) will be able to give us fair reportage to know that we are not just being insensitive, wicked, we just want to do our job and do it well,” he said.

“So, when we see a building or property that is blocking drainage channels and we say we are going to pull it down, we are hoping that you will be on our side and be able to report to say that this has to go.

“That is the only way people can live in a sane, safe and secured society.”