Days after Ikeja Record highlighted the deteriorating state of the McGregor Channel in Obalende, the Lagos State Government has commenced a cleanup operation.
On March 19, Ikeja Record posted a video on TikTok and Instagram that highlighted the dire state of the channel, which was choked with plastics and other solid waste.
The video garnered more than 100,000 views and hundreds of comments within 48 hours.
By March 23, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced that the state had begun clearing the channel as part of efforts to mitigate flooding ahead of the rainy season.
Mr. Wahab, in a post on his official X account, urged residents to desist from indiscriminate waste disposal and take ownership of their environment.
“A cleaner Lagos is a collective responsibility,” he said.
A recurring problem
This is not the first time the Lagos State government has taken action at this location.
On February 16, 2024, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources carried out a cleanup exercise under the Obalende bridge, removing illegal squatters and shanty kiosks while also clearing the gutters.
However, more than a year later, the area had returned to being an eyesore, highlighting a lack of sustainable, long-term planning.
The drainage was once again clogged with dense, floating plastics, and the stench under the bridge had worsened.
@ikejarecord A year after the cleanup, Obalende underbridge is back in a familiar state—flooded with waste. This isn’t just about enforcement; it’s about sustainable solutions. What policies or actions do you think can create real change? Drop your thoughts below. #LagosSanitation #CleanLagos #cleanerlagos #zerotolerancelagos #ikejarecord #lagosnews #trendingnow ♬ original sound – Ikeja Record
