The Lagos State Government has restated its preparedness and capability to manage the impact of the anticipated heavy rainfall in the state, assuring residents that comprehensive measures have been put in place to prevent flooding, especially on Lagos Island.
The government also disclosed that its Emergency Flood Abatement Gang has been fully empowered to operate throughout the year.
Speaking to journalists after an inspection of the ongoing Lagos Island regeneration project, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave assurances that the project, once completed, would resolve the persistent flooding challenges in areas such as Adeniji, Oroyinyin, Idumagbo, Ojo Giwa, Jankara, Arolia, and surrounding communities.
Wahab referenced the recent warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, which forecast heavy rainfall in several states, including Lagos, with potential flood threats. He said the state government has proactively mobilised resources and is fully prepared for the season.
He said, “The ongoing urban regeneration construction work is causing some inconvenience for Lagos Island residents, and we apologize for that. We can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. This inconvenience is temporary, as we aim to provide a permanent solution to what has been a long-standing issue on Lagos Island.”
He noted that the Lagos State Governor, alongside officials from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Works, had earlier assessed the project’s progress and expressed satisfaction with its pace.
“Thankfully, the governor has awarded the regeneration of Lagos Island. We are committed to regenerating the entire island with urban planning, drainage improvements, and road infrastructure. This morning, we came to check on the activities of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and we are satisfied with the work done so far.
“They are taking a new approach by raising the height of the roads and constructing drainage systems. You can see the quality of the work being done.”
The commissioner further disclosed that a temporary pumping station had been installed at the Adeniji Adele underbridge to help channel stormwater away from flood-prone areas like Aroloya Street, Ojo Giwa, Binuyo, Oroyinyin, and other adjoining parts of Lagos Island. He explained that the station would allow construction work to continue uninterrupted while managing water flow in the affected zones.
“The urban regeneration project will be completed in phases, with timelines of nine, fifteen, eighteen, and twenty-four months. So within a maximum of two years, the project will be completed,” Wahab said.
During the inspection, Wahab directed the immediate removal of illegal shanties built on the drainage channel beside King Ado High School on Ojo Giwa. He also ordered the sealing of a construction site at Idi Oluwo for obstructing drainage paths with building materials.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws and highlighted the ongoing advocacy campaign against Styrofoam and other single-use plastics.
“We are committed to advocacy, but we will also enforce and sanction those who refuse to comply,” he stated.
“We urge our citizens to refrain from the harmful practice of dumping waste on roads, medians, drainages, and open spaces, as this behavior poses significant health risks beyond flooding.”
Wahab reaffirmed the state’s readiness in light of the Federal Government’s recent flood alert to several states, noting that Lagos has prepared ahead of time.
“Lagos State is prepared, and this flooding is an annual occurrence. Nature will take its course from April to later in the year. Over the past few months, we have been upgrading our infrastructure and working around the clock at the ministry.”
On the issue of market sanitation, Wahab noted that a market that had been sealed on Thursday had reopened after showing improved compliance with sanitation standards.
“The market is the first point of contact for many people. Once the cleaning is done, we will reopen it. We unsealed the perishable market because they worked overnight, and we noted their level of compliance.”
“I want to reiterate that these markets have been served abatement notices multiple times and have not complied. People cannot continue to be recalcitrant, forgetting that the government will enforce these measures. We had to intervene and insisted that they do the right thing by cleaning up the market.”
He commended the Lagos Waste Management Authority for stepping in where private waste collectors have struggled.
“LAWMA is doing a lot; they are intervening where private sector operators are challenged. You saw LAWMA trucks this morning clearing waste from the market,” Wahab said.
The commissioner was accompanied during the inspection by the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretaries Dr. Gaji Tajudeen (Office of Environmental Services), Engr. Mahamood Adegbite (Office of Drainage Services), and Engr. Lateef Shomide (Office of Infrastructure); as well as the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegeshin; General Manager of LASWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi; KAI Corps Marshall, Major Olatubosun Cole (Rtd); and other key directors from the Ministry and its agencies.
The team visited several flood-prone locations including Ojo Giwa, Binuyo, Aroloya, Okoya Street, Dosumu, Oroyinyin Upstream, Odi-Oluwo, and the Adeniji Adele underbridge.
