Sanwo-Olu blames coastal terrain, waste disposal for Lagos floods

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has attributed recurring flooding in parts of the state to its coastal geography, heavy rainfall and indiscriminate waste disposal, dismissing claims that the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is responsible for the recent inundation.

The governor spoke while receiving the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and members of the National Assembly during an inspection of the highway project, following public concerns and social media reports linking the federal road project to flooding in parts of Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu said flooding remains an environmental reality for Lagos because of its location on the Atlantic coast, noting that about one-third of the state’s land area is covered by water.

According to him, periods of intense rainfall can temporarily overwhelm drainage systems regardless of their capacity, but floodwaters often recede after the rains.

“Lagos is a coastal city. We will always experience some level of flooding. We only pray that it will not be severe. These are natural occurrences associated with coastal environments across the world,” the governor said.

He maintained that social media users often create a misleading impression by circulating photographs taken at the height of flooding without showing conditions after the water had subsided.

The governor also blamed blocked drainage channels caused by indiscriminate refuse disposal for worsening flooding across the state, saying the government would continue to enforce environmental sanitation laws.

He disclosed that additional environmental measures would soon be introduced to complement existing policies, including the ban on Styrofoam, while clean-up operations had been intensified along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway to protect public infrastructure.

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Sanwo-Olu said the state had engaged a mechanised street-cleaning company to maintain the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway with specialised sweeping equipment, adding that service roads would also be developed to improve access for residents and businesses.

He acknowledged that some structures might be affected by the expansion but said the infrastructure was necessary to support the state’s long-term development.

Backing the governor’s position, Umahi said an inspection of the project found no evidence that the Coastal Highway caused the flooding witnessed in parts of Lagos.

Umahi said President Bola Tinubu directed him and members of the National Assembly to inspect the project following widespread allegations on social media.

According to him, the highway was deliberately designed at an elevated level to withstand tidal surges and reduce flood risks over the next two to three decades.

He added that many of the affected communities had always been swampy and that developments built below approved flood levels would remain vulnerable to flooding irrespective of the highway.

The minister also announced that the Federal Government would work with the Lagos State Government to expand drainage infrastructure and construct service roads along the highway corridor, while plans were underway to install surveillance cameras, parking facilities and other supporting infrastructure.