LAGOS, July 10, 2024 – Residents of the White Sand community in the Isheri-Osun region of Lagos are pleading with the state government to address the severe flooding that plagues their neighborhood every year.
After a recent heavy downpour that lasted 10 hours, homes, cars, and businesses were submerged, and schools were forced to close, according to a report by PUNCH Metro. The White Sand area in Alimosho Local Government was one of the hardest hit, with floodwaters reaching unprecedented levels.
Banji Akingbade, the Community Development chairman of Whitesand Estate, explained that the flooding is caused by the construction of the Ijegun-Jakande Road, which has diverted water into the community. “There is no channel to divert it out. Our drainage systems are either blocked or too narrow, and they are mostly built by individuals or the community, not the government,” he said.
Residents stressed the need for the government to intervene and construct a proper drainage system to alleviate the flooding. “We need proper drainage systems. The small channels we’ve built ourselves aren’t enough,” said resident Johnson Olabode.
The community has been taxing itself to find a solution, but the chairman noted they lack the resources to effectively address the issue on their own. “We need the Ministry of Environment to help clear the blocked drainage and channel the water out of the community,” Akingbade added.
This plea for government assistance comes after the Lagos State Government recently issued a 48-hour evacuation order for residents in the Gbagada-Bariga area who had built houses over drainage channels. The White Sand community is now seeking immediate intervention to improve their infrastructure and prevent future floods from devastating their homes and businesses.
