Sanwo-Olu Vows To Regenerate Waterlogged Lagos Island Neighborhoods

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (third left) listening to a point from the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Hon Fouad Oki (second right) during an inspection of the flooded areas in Lagos Island on Sunday, 8 October 2023

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Clogged drainage, waterlogged roads, muddy streets are an eyesore that has made Idumagbo Avenue and adjoining areas in Lagos Island an urban nightmare. But the ugly sight is about to give way for a major regeneration by the Lagos State Government.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, took a tour of the area for a firsthand assessment of the environmental degradation threatening lives and livelihoods in the entire neighbourhood.

The Governor, in a pair of rain boots, trekked through the waterlogged streets, taking stock of risks posed by the polluted environment and stagnant water.

Disturbed by high-level pollution and facility decay in the entire area, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the urban renewal project would commence early next year. The regeneration, he said, will be done by Julius Berger – the construction giant which first developed the area.

The Governor, in the interim, directed the Ministry of Environment to immediately start comprehensive cleanup operation to clear unapproved structures built on water channels.

Princess Street, which leads to the popular Jankara Market, had become the opposite of what it used to be. Concrete shops built on drainage channels have left the area prone to perennial flooding.

Jankara Market had become impassable and permanently flooded due to indiscriminate trading and pollution.

Sanwo-Olu took a walk through the waterlogged Ojo-Giwa, Oroyiyin, and Binuyo streets where drainage channels had been completely blocked by concrete structures, making it difficult for stagnant water to evacuate into the secondary drainage.

While on assessment of the environmental situation in Bombata, Jankara and Pelewura markets, the Governor gave traders eviction notice to pave the way for regeneration.

Sanwo-Olu decried the level of deterioration in the neighbourhood, disclosing that the State Government would be embarking on regeneration that would solve the flooding issue.

He said: “Idumagbo Avenue and adjoining streets are part of a corridor that was once well built, but has failed over the years. It is not only the road network that has failed, but also the drainage because of all the activities of markets. We observed traders have built structures over the drainage. We noticed places where the interlocking bricks of the road could be seen, but have been covered by dirts.

“The is the situation and it is the same at Ojo-Giwa Street where traders have built on drainage along the entire stretch. All of these developments have resulted in the failure of the road and drainage. We can all see the reason why Jankara Market and other areas are flooded. This inspection has offered us the opportunity to see the issues firsthand and empower us to proffer the lasting solutions.

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