The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading and constructing resilient drainage infrastructure to combat flash flooding across the state.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the assurance during an inspection tour of ongoing drainage and urban regeneration projects.
The tour included key flood-prone areas such as Onikoyi on Banana Island, Femi Pedro Avenue in Parkview Estate, and parts of Lagos Island.
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Wahab explained that once the Lagos Island regeneration project is completed, it will significantly address persistent flooding in the area and its surroundings.
He also expressed satisfaction with the ongoing drainage works near Gorodom Market, where secondary collector drain lining is underway.
During a visit to Ikoyi, Wahab said recent investigations had revealed a blocked underground culvert along the Shoreline near Turnbull/Banana Island Road.
He noted that recent torrential rain had impacted the road but assured that remedial and upgrade work had been carried out.
He added that the rapid development on Banana Island Road has overwhelmed the existing tertiary drainage system, and the state may upgrade one of the drains to a secondary collector to allow proper discharge into the Lagoon via the Mojisola Onikoyi channel.
The Commissioner also visited two other locations, Underbridge Idumagbo and the section beneath the Third Mainland Bridge along Oja Oba Street, Adeniji Adele.
He condemned the return of traders to these sites, where enforcement had previously taken place, and ordered their immediate evacuation.
Wahab clarified that the government does not aim to disrupt livelihoods but insists that selling under bridges is unsafe and unacceptable.
He recalled that traders had earlier been permitted to operate under regulated conditions, but their actions continue to undermine state infrastructure.
He revealed that some private individuals had proposed converting the under-bridge spaces into parks and that LASPARK already provided designs for the transformation, stressing that traders must vacate the areas without delay.
The inspection tour concluded at Parkview Estate, where Wahab assessed drainage works designed to channel stormwater from Femi Pedro Avenue directly into the Lagoon.
The project is expected to be completed within 90 days.
Emphasising the state’s vulnerability to climate change impacts such as sea-level rise, excessive rainfall, and heat, Wahab said human activities must not be allowed to compromise drainage infrastructure.
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Former Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro, who joined the tour, commended the government for the ongoing improvements in Parkview.
He noted that the new secondary collector drains along Olufemi Pedro Avenue and Agodogba Estate are deeper and wider, which he believes will bring an end to flooding in the area.
