Lagos State officials assert that ongoing drainage improvements and wetland preservation have significantly lessened the impact of recent intense rainfall. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, addressed recent public criticism regarding urban flooding, labeling attempts to politicize the situation as unacceptable and counterproductive.
Following site inspections in areas including Chevron Drive, Oniru, and Agungi-Ajiran, Wahab emphasized that current challenges are limited to temporary flash flooding rather than catastrophic overflow. He noted that strategic government actions, such as removing structures on floodplains and banning specific plastics, have mirrored successful international strategies used in cities like Accra.
The government recently faced pushback from individuals, including some protected by armed security, while attempting to clear illegal encroachments near Chevron Drive. Despite these obstacles, authorities reported rapid improvements in water discharge within 72 hours of removing these obstructions. Wahab confirmed that state authorities are currently identifying sites for long-term engineering solutions to manage water flow into the lagoon.
Addressing community infrastructure concerns, the commissioner stated that the state is stepping in to manage large-scale drainage projects that exceed local government capabilities. Furthermore, the administration plans to strengthen waste management by introducing roughly 150 additional compactors and transitioning toward a waste recovery model. This initiative aims to divert over 4,000 tonnes of waste daily from traditional landfills, while the government continues to prosecute those found guilty of improper waste disposal.
