Sanwo-Olu approves dredging of 28 drainage channels to tackle Lagos floods

By Johnson Idowu

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the dredging of 28 additional primary drainage channels following flooding in parts of the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kunle Adeshina, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Wahab said the recent heavy rainfall was an extreme weather event that overwhelmed drainage infrastructure in several parts of the state.

He said the downpours triggered temporary flooding in communities including Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin and Mafoluku.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Government on Tuesday called for calm and understanding from residents following the massive flash flooding experienced in many parts of the state over the last two weeks, with the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, approving the immediate dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary channels across the state.

“The rainfalls were an extreme weather event that produced an unusually high volume of water within a short period, overwhelming drainage channels in some locations and resulting in temporary flooding across parts of Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, Mafoluku and several other areas.”

He noted that the incident was not peculiar to Lagos, explaining that similar heavy rainfall also affected other African countries and parts of North America on the same day.

According to the commissioner, Lagos faces a more complex hydrological challenge because of its extensive network of lagoons, rivers, creeks and tidal water bodies.

He explained that the interaction between the Atlantic Ocean, Lagos Lagoon and other water bodies, particularly during high tide, naturally slows the discharge of stormwater into the sea, resulting in temporary flooding in low-lying areas after exceptionally heavy rainfall.

Wahab assured residents that the state government was closely monitoring drainage infrastructure, flood-prone locations and major water channels, adding that emergency response agencies remained on the ground to support affected communities.

He said, “The Lagos State Government remains fully on top of the situation through continuous monitoring of drainage infrastructure, flood-prone locations and other critical water channels.”

The commissioner also urged residents to support the government’s flood control efforts by avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and waterways, illegal reclamation of wetlands, and construction on drainage alignments.

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He warned that such activities obstruct the free flow of stormwater and worsen flooding during periods of intense rainfall.

Wahab said, “The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident across the world, with coastal cities experiencing more frequent and intense rainfall events.

“Lagos is not exempt from these realities. However, the State Government remains steadfast in its commitment to building a flood-resilient city through sustained infrastructure development, environmental enforcement and active collaboration with residents.”

He reiterated that protecting Lagos from flooding remained a shared responsibility and urged residents to keep drainage channels free of waste and report activities capable of obstructing the flow of stormwater.

The commissioner also advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads during heavy rainfall and urged residents, particularly those in flood-prone areas, to comply with weather advisories and safety instructions issued by relevant government agencies.

PUNCH Online reports that the heavy rainfall that swept across the state triggered widespread outrage, with many residents criticising the Lagos State Government over recurring flooding that submerged major roads, stranded motorists, disrupted commercial activities and left homes underwater across the metropolis.

The downpour, which lasted for several hours, flooded major roads in Gbagada, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu Road, Ikeja, Maryland, Mushin, Ogudu, Lekki, Oshodi, Agege, Alimosho and Obalende, forcing many commuters to trek long distances after commercial transport operators suspended services because of rising floodwaters.

Several motorists were also seen abandoning their vehicles after they broke down while attempting to navigate flooded roads.

The flooding extended to sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and Lekki-Epe Expressway, worsening traffic congestion across the state.

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