Flash Flooding: Lagos Government Pledges Robust Infrastructure Solutions

‎The Lagos State Government on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading and constructing resilient drainage systems to tackle flooding across the state.
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‎Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known during a media briefing following an inspection tour of the Lagos Island regeneration project and ongoing drainage works at Onikoyi, Banana Island, and Femi Pedro Avenue in Park View Estate. He stated that once the urban regeneration initiative is completed, it will effectively resolve flooding challenges across Lagos Island and surrounding areas.
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‎“We came to Lagos Island to see the level of compliance and the level of work that is being done by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, as well as the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), in respect of the regeneration projects of Lagos Island and we are happy with the pace at which the projects are going,” he said.
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‎Wahab also assessed the ongoing Secondary Collector drain lining project near Gorodom Market and expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved so far.
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‎He and his team later visited Ikoyi as part of investigations into the recurring flash floods around Turnbull/Banana Island Road, where they discovered a blocked underground culvert near the Shoreline, off the Turnbull entrance.
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‎“The last heavy rain affected Banana Island Road into Turnbull and we have done remedial work and carried out an upgrade of the infrastructure,” he said.
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‎He explained that the level of development along Banana Island Road has exceeded the capacity of the existing tertiary drains, and the government may need to upgrade one of them to a secondary collector. This would enable it to channel water from Shoreline and Banana Island Road into the collector at Mojisola Onikoyi, and from there into the lagoon.
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‎The inspection team also visited two additional sites—Underbridge Idumagbo and the area beneath the Third Mainland Bridge along Oja Oba Street, off Adeniji Adele Road. Although enforcement had previously been carried out in these locations, traders had returned, prompting an immediate order for them to vacate the premises.
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‎He noted that the government had no intention of disrupting the economic activities of traders, but they had been repeatedly warned not to conduct business beneath major infrastructure. Despite this, they have continued operating there in defiance of the directive.
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‎He added that the Underbridge at Idumagbo was cleared of illegal structures earlier in the year, and traders were permitted to operate in a manner that would not obstruct drainage flow or compromise the area’s visual appeal.
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‎He emphasized that trading under critical infrastructure requires caution, posing a dilemma: should economic activity take precedence over safety, environmental concerns, and security?
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‎He further stated that if traders wish to resume operations, the process must be properly regulated and must not involve using space under bridges. He warned that if an incident were to occur, the public would blame the government for negligence, even though citizens also have a duty to follow the rules.
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‎“We are saying we won’t disrupt your lifestyle, your commercial activities, but in a very organised way, you can do your trading. But what we met here today is not organised. So, we are going to close the space and ask for a layout on how they want to organise themselves.”
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‎He stated that some individuals had expressed interest in converting the Underbridge areas into parks, and the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) had already provided them with design guidelines. He emphasized that traders must vacate the area immediately, as it will soon be sealed off.
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‎Wahab and his team then moved to Parkview Estate to inspect the ongoing drainage projects, which are designed to channel stormwater from Femi Pedro Avenue into the lagoon. He noted that the contractor is expected to complete the work within the next 90 days.
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‎“We had to come so we can see for ourselves the level of work and see what the contractors have done over time. We are satisfied with this major project, which is a discharging point for Parkview,” he added.
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‎He emphasized that as a coastal state, Lagos is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme heat, and heavy rainfall. He stressed the need for the government to take preventive measures by ensuring that human activities do not obstruct drainage systems.
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‎Former Deputy Governor Femi Pedro also expressed deep appreciation to the government for the improved drainage infrastructure in Parkview Estate.
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‎He noted that the secondary collector drains along Olufemi Pedro Avenue and in Agodogba Estate have been significantly enlarged and deepened, adding that the upgrades would effectively eliminate flooding problems in the area.
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‎“Residents of Parkview Estate should be rest assured that this project would proffer a lasting solution to flooding in this area when delivered in three months’ time. We, the residents too, would ensure we take ownership of it.”
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