LAGOS TARGETS 95% FLOOD REDUCTION AS WAHAB INSPECTS DRAINAGE FACILITIES

By: Hammad Fasasi

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting drainage infrastructure and enforcing environmental regulations to prevent unauthorised encroachment on public assets.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, gave the assurance on Saturday during an inspection tour of strategic locations across the state to address residents’ complaints and assess the condition of drainage right-of-way.

Wahab said the exercise was part of the government’s proactive efforts to respond to concerns raised by residents and monitor projects identified by the ministry for intervention.

The inspection covered Odo Iya Alaro by Opebi Link Bridge, Modupe Johnson Crescent off Adeniran Ogunsanya in Surulere, and Osborne Foreshore Phase II Estate in Ikoyi. The commissioner assessed reported cases of encroachment, verified drainage alignments and reassured residents of the government’s commitment to protecting public infrastructure and private property.

The exercise began at the Oregun Mixed-Use Scheme, where property owners with valid state approvals and Certificates of Occupancy had complained about encroachment on the System I drainage alignment and the alleged occupation of their lands by auto mechanics.

Wahab said the government had taken steps to re-establish the boundaries of the affected properties and assure legitimate landowners of the security of their government-approved titles.

He disclosed that the auto mechanics occupying the properties had been directed to vacate the land to allow the rightful owners access to their assets.

“If you buy a government title or a government scheme, it is the most secure scheme you can have. We are here to reassure property owners, establish their boundaries and ensure that those who have legitimate titles can have access to their assets. We have also told the auto mechanics to leave people’s land,” he said.

At Modupe Johnson Crescent, off Adeniran Ogunsanya in Surulere, the commissioner addressed a petition alleging that a construction project by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) had encroached on the right-of-way of a drainage channel leading into a culvert.

He said the ministry had invited the LSDPC Managing Director and his team for a joint physical inspection, during which measurements were taken in the presence of relevant stakeholders.

According to Wahab, the assessment established that the construction was outside the drainage right-of-way and that no encroachment had taken place.

He added that the culvert at the location was properly constructed in line with the design and approval of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

“We took physical measurements in the presence of everybody, so it was not something done in secret. The findings showed that the project was not anywhere near the right-of-way, and there was no encroachment on our drainage channel. The culvert was properly done as designed and approved by the ministry,” Wahab stated.

At Osborne Foreshore Phase II Estate in Ikoyi, the commissioner said the inspection followed concerns raised by residents during a meeting with the Lagos State Deputy Governor after the recent monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

He recalled that an earlier inspection had established that the drainage structure in question did not encroach on the state’s drainage alignment but was designed to discharge into the Simpson Channel.

Wahab explained that the latest visit was intended to reassure residents and confirm that the situation remained unchanged. He maintained that the culvert was installed for safety reasons and should not be removed.

He also noted that the high-tension cables were sufficiently distant from the structure, adding that no violation had been identified.

“This is our third time coming to that particular project point, and there are no encroachments. I was here with the Deputy Governor last Saturday, after the sanitation exercise, and there were no encroachments on our own alignment. We came here to reassure ourselves, and the findings remain the same. We cannot allow people to dog-whistle us to do what they want,” he said.

Addressing concerns over undeveloped government-allotted lands and the possibility of such spaces being occupied by illegal structures, Wahab clarified that issues relating to development timelines and possible revocation of land titles were under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Lands.

He advised landowners seeking clarification on the conditions attached to their titles to contact the appropriate agency.

On the state’s flood mitigation efforts ahead of the next rainy season, the commissioner said Lagos had recorded between 75 and 80 per cent success in its flood abatement initiatives.

However, he described a complete elimination of flooding as unrealistic, considering the state’s coastal location and geographical conditions.

“Over the past few months, we have stated that we have achieved 75 to 80 per cent success with respect to flooding. But you cannot have 100 per cent success against flooding unless you want to play the ostrich. Lagos is a coastal state, and some areas are below sea level. These are scientific realities that we must acknowledge,” he said.

He explained that tidal locks, heavy rainfall and rising sea levels could cause temporary flash flooding in some areas, but the water would recede once drainage systems were able to discharge effectively.

Wahab urged residents to remain calm during such occurrences, assuring them that the infrastructure being deployed by the government was designed to significantly reduce flooding and strengthen the state’s resilience.

He said the government was targeting an improvement from its current 75 to 80 per cent success rate to between 90 and 95 per cent.

“The infrastructure we are putting in place is resilient enough to help the state deflood substantially. That is why we are doing resilient infrastructure all year round. Our target is to move beyond the 75 to 80 per cent success we have recorded and achieve between 90 and 95 per cent,” he stated.

The commissioner further disclosed that the administration had sustained its flood management strategy through the year-round deployment of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG), investment in resilient drainage infrastructure, a ban on Styrofoam food containers and policies aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastics.

He said the interventions were based on scientific assessments and designed to tackle major causes of flooding, particularly the blockage of drainage channels by waste and plastic materials.

Wahab urged residents to support the government’s efforts by avoiding indiscriminate waste disposal and adopting responsible environmental practices.

He also advised residents to take precautions against the prevailing hot weather by staying hydrated and drinking sufficient water.

According to him, extreme weather events recorded in different parts of the world further highlight the realities of climate change and the need for Lagos to strengthen its environmental resilience.

Wahab reiterated that the state government would continue to monitor drainage infrastructure, enforce regulations against unauthorised encroachment and ensure that ongoing and proposed projects comply with approved environmental standards.

He added that subsequent inspection exercises would cover Olusosun and Solus II as part of the government’s continued efforts to improve environmental management and prevent flooding.

The commissioner called on residents to cooperate with the government by respecting drainage right-of-way, reporting suspected encroachments and supporting initiatives aimed at making Lagos cleaner, safer and more resilient to flooding.