By our Reporter
The Lagos State Government has appealed to residents to remain calm following the persistent rainfall and flash flooding experienced across many parts of the state over the last two weeks, announcing immediate measures to improve drainage infrastructure.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed on Tuesday that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the immediate dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary drainage channels to mitigate flooding and improve stormwater discharge.
Wahab explained that the recent flooding resulted from an extreme weather event that produced an unusually large volume of rainfall within a short period, overwhelming drainage systems in several locations and causing temporary flooding in areas including Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, Mafoluku and other communities.
He noted that the phenomenon was not unique to Lagos, saying several African countries and parts of North America also experienced similar heavy rainfall and flooding. However, he explained that Lagos faces greater hydrological challenges because of its extensive network of lagoons, rivers, creeks and tidal water bodies, which slow the discharge of stormwater into the Atlantic Ocean, particularly during high tide.
According to the commissioner, the interaction between the Atlantic Ocean, Lagos Lagoon and inland waterways naturally delays the evacuation of stormwater, leading to temporary flooding in low-lying areas whenever exceptionally heavy rainfall occurs.
Wahab assured residents that the state government is closely monitoring drainage infrastructure, flood-prone areas and major waterways, while emergency response agencies remain on the ground to ensure floodwaters recede as quickly as weather conditions permit and to provide assistance where necessary.
He said the government has continued to invest heavily in drainage construction, channelisation, desilting and other flood-control projects, stressing that residents also have a critical role to play in reducing the impact of flooding.
The commissioner urged residents to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains, canals and waterways, avoid illegal reclamation of wetlands and desist from building on drainage alignments, warning that such activities obstruct the free flow of stormwater and worsen flooding during periods of intense rainfall.
Wahab added that climate change has made extreme weather events more frequent across the world, with coastal cities increasingly experiencing intense rainfall.
While acknowledging that Lagos is not immune to these global realities, he reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to building a flood-resilient city through sustained infrastructure development, environmental enforcement and collaboration with residents.
He described flood prevention as a shared responsibility and called on residents to keep drainage channels free of waste, report activities capable of obstructing stormwater flow and comply with weather advisories issued by relevant government agencies.
The commissioner also advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads during heavy rainfall and urged residents, especially those living in flood-prone communities, to observe safety instructions aimed at protecting lives and property.
