By Our Correspondent
Residents of several flood-prone communities in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government have expressed renewed hope following the commencement of a large-scale canal dredging exercise by the Executive Chairman of the council, Otunba Kehinde Almaroof-Oloyede, aimed at preventing flooding and protecting lives and property during the peak of the rainy season.
The extensive environmental intervention, which is currently underway, covers the major drainage channel stretching from Apakun through Adeogun, Akiode, Salami, Sadiku, and adjoining communities before terminating at the Ogunoloko axis of the local government.
The project is part of the council administration's proactive flood mitigation strategy designed to restore the free flow of stormwater by removing accumulated sand, silt, overgrown vegetation, and other debris that have obstructed the canal over the years.
For many residents, the dredging exercise comes as a welcome relief after years of recurring floods that have damaged homes, disrupted businesses, and rendered several roads impassable whenever heavy rains occur.
Speaking at the project site, community members applauded the intervention, describing it as both timely and necessary. They noted that the blocked drainage channel had long posed a serious environmental and public safety challenge, with overflowing floodwaters regularly invading residential and commercial properties.
Chairman of the Oshodi Community Development Association (CDA), Mr. Okalanwon Yusuf Jide, commended the Executive Chairman for responding to the longstanding concerns of residents.
"I am very happy to see that the Chairman has commenced the dredging of this long stretch of canal," he said. "Due to the accumulation of sand and the overgrowth of weeds inside the canal, there has been no free flow of water, causing it to overflow into people's homes and business premises whenever it rains."
He expressed confidence that the exercise would significantly reduce the perennial flooding experienced across the affected communities, particularly after the heavy downpours witnessed in recent weeks.
The ongoing dredging operation is expected to improve water drainage, reduce the risk of environmental hazards, safeguard public infrastructure, and enhance the overall quality of life for thousands of residents living along the affected corridor.
Reaffirming his administration's commitment to sustainable development, Otunba Almaroof-Oloyede stated that his government would continue to implement projects that address critical environmental challenges while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents.
According to the council chairman, infrastructure renewal, environmental sanitation, and disaster prevention remain central to his administration's development agenda, especially as climate-related flooding continues to threaten many urban communities.
The canal dredging exercise is one of several environmental initiatives recently launched by the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government. The council had earlier inaugurated a special intervention team to assess and evacuate refuse dumps across various parts of the local government in support of the Lagos State Government's environmental sanitation efforts.
The refuse evacuation programme, which is currently ongoing, is intended to eliminate waste blockages within drainage systems, promote cleaner surroundings, and reduce public health risks associated with indiscriminate waste disposal.
Residents have expressed optimism that the combined efforts of canal dredging and improved waste management will not only curb flooding but also create a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment across Oshodi-Isolo.
As the rainy season intensifies, many stakeholders believe the council's proactive interventions will go a long way in mitigating flood risks and preserving lives, property, and critical public infrastructure throughout the local government area.
