The Federal Government has pledged to construct internal drainage systems and service roads where necessary to address flooding in communities along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this yesterday during an inspection of Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Works, officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment, members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works, environmental consultants, representatives of Hitech Construction Company and presidential aides.
Umahi said the inspection was ordered by President Bola Tinubu following public concerns and reports on social media suggesting that the coastal highway contributed to the recent flooding experienced by communities along the project corridor.
Addressing journalists during the tour, the minister said the visit was aimed at physically assessing the situation and presenting technical evidence on the causes of flooding in the affected communities.
According to him, observations made during the inspection showed that several natural drainage channels and designated flood retention areas had been illegally reclaimed through sand-filling and other human activities, preventing floodwaters from flowing naturally into the lagoon.
Dismissing claims that the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is responsible for flooding in parts of Lagos, Umahi insisted that the flooding is largely the result of blocked drainage channels, illegal encroachment on natural waterways, indiscriminate waste disposal and longstanding environmental challenges.
He specifically referred to parts of the Kuramo Lagoon, describing the water body as a natural collection point for stormwater from surrounding communities.
The minister said the government had already halted illegal reclamation activities in the area and erected warning signs to prevent further encroachment.
“We are here on the directive of Mr President because of complaints that the Coastal Highway is causing flooding within this corridor. What we have seen is that the designated natural drainage points have been interfered with by human activities.
“People have sand-filled areas that naturally receive floodwater. These areas must be restored through dredging so they can perform their original function,” he said.
Umahi stressed that the Federal Government would continue discussions with the Lagos State Government on measures required to restore affected drainage infrastructure and improve flood management along the corridor.
He commended the Lagos State Government for its ongoing interventions to address flooding but stressed that residents also have responsibilities.
“You cannot block drainage channels, dump refuse into waterways and then blame the Coastal Highway for flooding. Everyone has a role to play in protecting the environment,” he said.
The minister explained that the highway was designed with numerous drainage structures, including strategically positioned culverts to channel water from one section of the corridor to another.
During a stop at Alpha Beach, Umahi maintained that flooding in the community predated the construction of the coastal highway.
He attributed the recurring flooding to the low elevation of buildings within the estate and inadequate consideration of environmental impact assessments during earlier developments.
According to him, proper engineering practice requires developers to determine existing and projected flood levels before deciding the height of building foundations.
“Before any development is carried out, there should be proper environmental assessment to determine the highest flood level and the projected flood level over the coming decades. Those considerations were not adequately taken into account in many of these developments,” he said.
While acknowledging the need to address flooding affecting residents, Umahi said the Federal Government was prepared to construct internal drainage systems and service roads where necessary.
However, he disclosed that implementing such interventions could require the removal of some structures located along the project corridor.
He explained that although several buildings were preserved during the construction of the main carriageway, some could now be affected by the proposed service lanes.
“The essence of a superhighway is controlled access. Vehicles are not expected to drive directly from private premises onto the highway. That is why service lanes and proper access roads are necessary.
“Where properties are affected, the Lagos State Government will determine the appropriate approvals, while the Federal Government will pay compensation where applicable,” he added.
At Chainage 13, Umahi pointed to shoreline protection works undertaken by Hitech Construction, describing them as evidence that the project was helping to protect adjoining communities from coastal erosion and ocean surges.
He said the reclamation method adopted was similar to that used for the development of Eko Atlantic City, which significantly reduced coastal flooding in Victoria Island.
According to him, without the ongoing reclamation works, nearby communities, including Ocean Bay Estate, would have faced greater risks from ocean encroachment.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, urged journalists, broadcasters, content creators and social media influencers to exercise restraint when reporting technical issues relating to infrastructure.
He observed that while members of the public were entitled to express concerns, technical conclusions should only be drawn after consulting professionals with the relevant expertise.
Alabi announced that the Ministry of Works would hold a technical briefing to further explain the engineering and environmental considerations underpinning the coastal highway project.
Also speaking, the Director of Environmental Assessment at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Rofikat Odetoro, described flooding in Lagos as a complex environmental challenge driven by multiple factors.
She identified climate change, rising sea levels, intense rainfall, blocked drainage channels, rapid urbanisation and inadequate planning as major contributors to flooding in coastal communities.