Lagos govt blames illegal construction, blocked drains for recent floods

Several parts of Lagos state were submerged this week after hours of torrential rainfall, leaving homes, businesses, and major roads flooded.

Floodwaters swept through Lagos Island, Mile 2, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Expressway, 3rd Mainland Bridge, Ago Palace Way, Ayobo-Ipaja, Fola Osibo, and Sangotedo, disrupting traffic and leaving vehicles stranded.

Videos shared online showed cars and motorcycles struggling to navigate waterlogged streets.

Tokunbo Wahab, the state commissioner for environment and water resources, in a statement on Wednesday, sympathized with affected residents while noting that Lagos’ coastal geography makes it highly prone to flooding during heavy rainfall and tidal lock.

He said the state government has continued to invest in drainage projects, routine desilting, and enforcement of environmental laws, but added that human activities remain a major driver of the crisis.

“At Kusenla, the challenge is technical: the downstream is about 1.2 meters higher than the invert of the existing drainage, as confirmed by the survey conducted for the ongoing project which includes a pumping station,” Wahab explained.

He noted that areas around House on the Rock church were affected due to “illegal construction on flood plains and dumping of refuse in drains”.

“Keeping our environment clean, refraining from dumping refuse into drains, and avoiding construction on floodplains are vital to achieving a flood-free Lagos. In several of the videos shared yesterday, clear infractions were observed, and we will ensure that such illegal structures and obstructions are promptly removed,” Wahab added.

The commissioner assured residents that the flooding was a flash incident in some parts of the state and had receded by Wednesday morning.

He pledged that the ministry would continue strengthening Lagos’ flood management systems but stressed the need for public cooperation.