FLOODING CRISIS: LAGOS GOVERNMENT VOWS TO TACKLE FLOODING, CITES RAINFALL AND HUMAN FACTORS.

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
25- SEPT -2025

The Lagos State Government has pledged stronger action to curb flooding after heavy rains left several parts of the metropolis waterlogged earlier this week.

On Tuesday, torrential downpours combined with tidal lock and blocked drainage channels resulted in flash floods across the city. By Wednesday morning, neighbourhoods such as the Lekki–Epe Expressway, Mile 2, Ago Palace Way, Apple Junction, and Ago Bridge were submerged, forcing commuters and motorists to wade through waterlogged roads. Videos circulating online captured vehicles and motorcycles stranded in traffic chaos.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued a statement via his official X handle on Wednesday, apologising to residents and acknowledging the disruption caused.

“We truly regret the hardship experienced by residents and commuters. The discomfort was real, and we empathise with every household and business that was affected,” Wahab said.

He explained that Lagos’s coastal nature makes it susceptible to flooding during prolonged rainfall, but human activities further complicate the challenge. According to him, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, construction on floodplains, and illegal reclamation of drainage paths worsened the situation.

Providing specifics, Wahab revealed that at Kusenla, engineering constraints had slowed drainage, prompting the state government to initiate a project that includes a pumping station. Around House on the Rock church, he linked the flooding to blocked floodplains and drains caused by unlawful developments.

The commissioner stressed that the government will not hesitate to demolish illegal structures obstructing water channels. “Environmental infractions were visible in several of the videos shared online. We will ensure that such obstructions are cleared, and all reclamations carried out without proper approval are reversed,” he warned.

Despite the setbacks, Wahab reaffirmed Lagos’s ongoing investment in flood-control infrastructure. He highlighted regular drainage cleaning, desilting, and enforcement of environmental regulations as measures already in place.

He appealed for residents’ cooperation, urging them to keep their environment clean and avoid practices that contribute to flooding. “With collective effort, we can significantly reduce the impact of flooding and safeguard lives and property across the state,” he added.