By Emmanuel Daniji

For residents, workers, business owners and motorists in Ikoyi, the condition of a drainage channel can quickly become more than an environmental issue.

A blocked drain can mean stagnant water, flooding after heavy rainfall, bad odour and a more difficult journey through one of Lagos’ busiest high-end neighbourhoods.

With increased movement expected across Lagos as the festive season approaches, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has begun a major pre-festive cleaning exercise in Ikoyi, targeting blocked drainage channels and streets.

The operation started along the Bourdillon, Alexander and Gerrard corridors, where LAWMA officials are removing accumulated silt, refuse and other materials capable of obstructing the free flow of stormwater.

The intervention comes at a time when Lagos typically experiences heavier human and vehicular activity during the festive period, putting additional pressure on roads, drainage systems and waste management infrastructure.

LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the materials removed from the drains were being evacuated immediately to prevent them from being washed back into the channels and creating fresh environmental problems.

For people living and working in Ikoyi, the immediate concern is not simply whether the streets look clean. It is whether the drainage network can handle rainfall without turning roads and neighbourhoods into difficult passages.

LAWMA said the clearing exercise is intended to improve water flow while creating a cleaner and safer environment for residents, businesses and road users.

The authority also disclosed that the operation would continue on other streets in Ikoyi before moving to Victoria Island and other parts of Lagos under its wider pre-festive sanitation programme.

But the success of the exercise will also depend on what happens after the sanitation officials leave.

LAWMA has urged residents and businesses to keep drainage channels free of refuse and ensure that their waste is properly packaged and handed over to accredited Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators.

The authority’s official information also lists multiple PSP operators serving Ikoyi, reflecting the waste collection structure available in the area.

Gbadegesin further appealed to residents and businesses to cooperate with sanitation workers by providing access to areas requiring attention and avoiding activities that could obstruct the cleaning operation.

LAWMA has repeatedly stressed that environmental sanitation cannot be left entirely to government. Its stated mandate covers waste management and drain-clearing operations, while the agency also encourages residents to play a role in keeping the environment clean.

As the festive season draws closer, the Ikoyi exercise therefore goes beyond removing dirt from gutters. For residents and road users, the real test will be whether the cleaned drains remain free-flowing when the next heavy rainfall comes.

And that, more than the appearance of clean streets, is what will determine whether the exercise makes everyday life easier for the people who live, work and travel through Ikoyi.