Residents of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos have been assured of lasting relief from perennial flooding as the council, in partnership with the state government, moves to commence a 1.4-kilometre collector drain project in the Alakuko axis.
This was contained in a statement made available to New Telegraph, following a stakeholders’ engagement on the proposed Gbeleyi/New Jerusalem/Ekurere Collector Drain project.
According to the statement, the meeting was convened by the Executive Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Oluyemisi Adenike Rosiji, and had in attendance officials of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, community leaders, residents, and other stakeholders.
Addressing participants at Olojo Street, Alakuko, Rosiji described the drainage project as a critical intervention aimed at addressing years of flooding that have negatively impacted lives, homes, businesses, and road accessibility in the area.
She noted that the initiative underscores her administration’s commitment to delivering people-oriented infrastructure and improving living conditions across the LCDA, adding that sustained collaboration with the state government has continued to attract key developmental projects.
The chairman commended the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for supporting grassroots development, as well as the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, for prioritising flood control and environmental sustainability.
She, however, urged residents to cooperate with government officials and contractors, noting that some level of sacrifice, particularly regarding the protection of government right of way, would be required for the successful execution of the project.
Also speaking, a Director in the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Akinwunmi B.M., explained that the collector drain would run from Gbeleyi through Ekurere and Olojo Street to New Jerusalem, covering a total length of 1,400 metres.
He added that the drainage would be constructed with a width of 1.5 metres and a depth of 2 metres to effectively channel floodwaters and improve drainage within the axis.
Akinwunmi stressed the need for residents to clear encroachments along designated right of way, describing it as a standard requirement for such projects, while assuring that due diligence would be observed throughout implementation.
He further disclosed that future road construction plans are underway in the area, noting that preserving adequate space would ensure long-term value for both drainage and road infrastructure.
In their separate remarks, stakeholders commended the council chairman for her developmental efforts and called for sustained intervention in other flood-prone areas within Ojokoro LCDA.
Community leaders, including the Vice Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Alhaji Adeyemi, and the Lisa of Egba Land, High Chief Oluyomi Olaogun, urged residents to support the project and avoid actions that could hinder its execution.
The statement noted that the engagement ended with renewed optimism among residents and stakeholders, alongside a collective commitment to ensure the successful delivery of the project.
