Flood overruns Lagos communities, govt says tackling the problem, warns against blocking floodplains with structures, dumping refuse into drains
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Hours of heavy downpour triggered flash floods in several communities in Lagos on Wednesday, causing gridlock for vehicles, commuters, pedestrians as well as business activities.
The rainfall unleashed disruption in flood-prone areas such as Maryland, Lekki, Ogba, and Ikorodu where residents and business owners lamented their homes and shops were overrun by excess water.
Multiple videos across social media platforms showed residents wading through flooded neighbourhoods and vehicles moving at a slow pace on water-logged roads.
On Olatunji Street in Maryland, the overflow of a canal cut off access to the adjoining Mende community.
A resident, Chinasa Nnadi, said the flood has been a recurring sight whenever it rains for as long as the residents in both neighbourhoods could remember.
“This has been happening for years now, and it’s very hard for vehicles to go in or out of there. People even swim to their houses.
“It is not easy for people living around there to come out of their houses because the flood is too much. Some will even go as far as relocating to another place due to the flood,” Nnadi told The PUNCH.
A business owner, who identified himself simply as Kalu and has lived in the area for three years, said he was amazed at how quickly the flood spread across the street.
“I watched as people tried to scoop water out of their homes after it entered their houses. I also suffered the same fate as the water flowed into my shop.”
Christiana, a member of a church in the locality, narrated how the worship centre was flooded, destroying equipment.
“The flood has affected our church’s musical instruments. We will have to spend lots of money either to fix or replace them. When the canal is full, the water gets into the church, and it reaches half the building of the church, it causes extreme damage.”
The downpour compounded the woes of motorists and pedestrians trapped in the gridlock that built up on flooded roads in the Ogba-Wempco junction.
Vehicles broke down, worsening the situation for commuters who spent long hours waiting to board buses.
Commuter Tunji Abass lamented that “the vehicles were moving very slowly due to the flooded portion of the road. It has always been like that during the rainy season.
“It becomes even worse times that water flows into people’s vehicles. The earlier the government attends to this, the better.”
Victor Obinna, who works in the Ikate axis said: “I stay in the office all through the week, and whenever I don’t stay in the office, I walk through the flood before getting to the office.
“Sometimes, I even had to dress up in the office because by the time I got to the office, half of my body would have been soaked.”
Property worth millions of naira was destroyed by flood in the Ikorodu area some weeks ago and the same flood overran several roads in the axis on Wednesday.
The economic cost of flooding in Lagos is estimated at billions of naira annually, with residents losing homes, shops, vehicles, and man-hours. Public health is also at risk, as stagnant floodwater leaves behind outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
The Lagos Government has sympathised with residents affected by flash floods, assuring that efforts are ongoing to tackle recurring incidents.
Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab on Wednesday issued in a statement reiterating that Lagos, being a coastal city, is vulnerable to flooding, especially during heavy rainfall and tidal lock.
He said the government has continued to invest in drainage infrastructure, desilting, and enforcement of environmental laws to minimise flood impact on residents.
Wahab explained that flooding in the Kusenla area of Lekki is caused by a technical challenge as the downstream is higher than the drainage system, and the government has awarded a contract that includes a pumping station to address the problem.
He disclosed that flooding near the House on the Rock Church is linked to illegal construction on floodplains and indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains, which worsen the situation.
“Clear infractions were observed in some of the videos shared yesterday. The state government will ensure that illegal structures, obstructions, and reclamations carried out without proper approvals are promptly removed,” Wahab said in the statement.
“We appeal for understanding and continued cooperation from the public. Keeping our environment clean, refraining from dumping refuse into drains, and avoiding construction on floodplains are vital to achieving a flood-free Lagos.
“In several of the videos shared yesterday, clear infractions were observed, and @followlasg will ensure that such illegal structures and obstructions are promptly removed. Including those illegal reclamations carried out without the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment Report and the Drainage Clearance.
“We also wish to assure residents that the flooding was a flash flood in some parts of the state and has since receded this morning.
“The ministry remains committed to strengthening our flood management systems, but this effort requires the support and responsible actions of all Lagosians. Together, we can build a safer, cleaner, and more resilient Lagos.”
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