Lagos Flooding: FG Initiates Drainage Clearing on Federal Roads

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed the desilting of drainages along federal roads in Lagos State to alleviate flooding on the highways.

The Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, announced this in a statement on Thursday.

The directive followed a 10-hour downpour on Wednesday that disrupted business and commercial activities in parts of Lagos and Ogun states. The flooding resulted in a two-storey building collapse in Mushin, halted vehicular movement, and affected thousands of residents, preventing many pupils from attending school.

Our correspondents visited affected areas such as Iyana-Oworo, Agege, Ijegun-Isheri Osun, Gbagada, and Lagos Island, where roads and houses were inundated due to the heavy rain. Other affected areas included Eredo, Bojije, Epe, Sangotedo, Ibeju-Lekki, Awoyaya, Labora, and Abijon.

Despite this, Kesha clarified that Lagos was not experiencing widespread flooding but acknowledged localized flooding on certain federal road sections, necessitating drainage clearance.

She stated, “Contrary to some reports, Lagos is not experiencing widespread submergence from floodwaters. However, localized flooding has affected certain sections of federal roads within the city. The minister has directed the desilting of drains along these roads to mitigate flooding.”

Teams have been deployed to assess the situation and carry out the desilting work. Kesha emphasized the ministry’s commitment to addressing the disruptions caused by the flash floods.