The Federal Government has announced a high-level stakeholders’ engagement on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as part of renewed efforts to address environmental concerns and improve flood management along the project corridor.

The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, follows an inspection tour of completed and ongoing sections of the highway by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, alongside members of the National Assembly and officials from key government agencies.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed, the engagement will bring together the Senate and House Committees on Works, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, the Lagos State Government, representatives of landlords’ associations, and other stakeholders.

The ministry said the meeting is aimed at addressing environmental concerns, promoting environmentally responsible practices, and strengthening collaboration on flood management around the highway corridor.

During the inspection, Umahi dismissed claims linking the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to flooding in parts of Lagos, maintaining that the project was designed with modern drainage infrastructure to improve water flow and reduce flooding in shoreline communities.

The minister explained that the Federal Ministry of Works had already begun collaborating with the Lagos State Government on dredging activities and other environmental mitigation measures to tackle flooding in affected locations.

According to him, persistent flooding in many parts of Lagos is largely caused by indiscriminate refuse disposal, blocked drainage channels, obstructed manholes, and violations of environmental regulations by residents rather than the highway project itself.

“You can see people blocking manholes and creating hazards to the environment. Many complaints about flooding stem from human activities, not the road project,” Umahi said during the inspection.

He assured residents that the Federal Government would continue implementing remediation measures, including improved drainage systems, dredging operations, and strict enforcement of the approved right-of-way along the highway.

Umahi also warned that structures obstructing drainage channels or encroaching on designated setbacks would be removed to ensure effective flood control.

The minister noted that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway incorporates modern engineering features such as culverts, embankments, and drainage systems specifically designed to manage stormwater and complement wider flood-control efforts across Lagos.

He said the inspection was conducted on the directive of President Bola Tinubu as part of the administration’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and critical infrastructure while promoting sustainable development.

To safeguard completed sections of the highway, Umahi directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr. Olufemi Dare, to enforce environmental safety standards across the project.

He also announced the recruitment of 40 security and monitoring personnel—20 for daytime operations and 20 for night patrols—to prevent vandalism, theft of road infrastructure, and illegal refuse dumping along the highway.

Speaking at the inspection, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-West), Moremi Ojudu, urged residents to support government efforts by protecting the environment and complying with environmental regulations.

Lawmakers who participated in the inspection also defended the project. The Minority Whip of the Senate, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, said flooding in Lagos predated the construction of the coastal highway and called for expert-driven environmental solutions.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Allwell Onyesoh, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, commended the minister’s response to the President’s directive, stressing that Lagos’ flooding challenges require long-term, science-based interventions.

The Director of Environmental Impact Assessment at the Federal Ministry of Environment also confirmed that an Environmental Impact Assessment was approved before construction of the highway commenced, adding that the growing effects of climate change have intensified flooding and other environmental challenges across Lagos.

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Recurring floods across Lagos have once again raised concerns over the city’s ability to cope with heavy rainfall, with experts blaming a combination of rapid urbanisation, poor planning, disappearing wetlands and inadequate flood-control infrastructure for the persistent problem.

Recent downpours left several communities, including Kunsela Road in Ikate, Gbagada, Ologolo, Ajiran, Ikorodu Road and Shogunle in Oshodi, submerged, disrupting businesses, damaging property and forcing residents to wade through floodwaters.

For many Lagosians, seasonal flooding has become a familiar reality. However, the latest incidents have reignited debate over why the commercial capital continues to experience severe flooding despite ongoing drainage projects and government interventions.

Urban planning expert, Tpl. Niyi Aderohunmu, said decades of replacing wetlands and mangrove forests with residential and commercial developments have significantly reduced Lagos’ natural ability to absorb rainwater.

According to him, wetlands once acted as natural reservoirs that stored excess rainfall and released it gradually, but large-scale development has replaced these areas with concrete surfaces that generate faster runoff.

He explained that the destruction of natural drainage channels, especially along the Lekki corridor, has made many low-lying communities increasingly vulnerable whenever heavy rainfall coincides with high tides.

Geographer Abeeb Babajide Ajagbe also described wetlands and mangroves as the city’s “natural flood infrastructure,” warning that continuous development in environmentally sensitive areas has worsened flooding.

He argued that the problem extends beyond environmental degradation, pointing to planning failures, weak enforcement and approvals granted for developments in flood-prone locations.

Environmental resource management expert Gbenga Oloniniran shared similar concerns, saying unregulated urban expansion has removed natural barriers that previously reduced the impact of flooding.

According to him, low-lying communities now experience faster surface runoff because many natural flood buffers have disappeared.

Independent researcher Tonami Playman, however, believes Lagos’ flooding cannot be blamed solely on climate change or environmental loss.

He argued that the city’s greatest challenge is the absence of large-scale flood-control infrastructure capable of storing excess stormwater during periods of intense rainfall.

Playman noted that while drainage systems are important, cities such as Tokyo, Chicago and Kuala Lumpur have significantly reduced flood risks through massive investments in underground reservoirs, storage tunnels and flood-control facilities.

He maintained that Lagos requires similar long-term infrastructure rather than relying almost entirely on drainage expansion.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government attributed the recurring flooding to a combination of coastal geography, climate change, rapid urbanisation and the destruction of wetlands.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that nearly one-third of Lagos consists of lagoons, rivers, streams and swamps, making flooding difficult to eliminate completely.

He said the city naturally drains stormwater into these water bodies, but rapid development over the years has reduced the capacity of wetlands to absorb excess rainfall.

The commissioner also blamed illegal land reclamation in areas such as Ajiran, Agungi, Ikota and the Chevron corridor for obstructing natural drainage channels and worsening floods in surrounding communities.

According to Wahab, another challenge is “tidal locking,” a situation where heavy rainfall coincides with high sea levels, preventing floodwater from flowing into the Atlantic Ocean and lagoons until the tides recede.

He said the state government has intensified desilting of drainage channels, expanded flood-control infrastructure and issued flood advisories ahead of the peak rainy season to reduce the impact of flooding.

Experts, however, insist that drainage projects alone will not solve the problem.

They recommended stricter enforcement of building regulations, restoration and protection of wetlands, investment in modern flood-control infrastructure, adoption of nature-based solutions such as permeable pavements and green spaces, as well as stronger urban planning policies.

The Lagos State Government recently began demolishing structures obstructing drainage channels in Agungi, Ajiran and Ikota as part of efforts to restore waterways and reduce flooding.

The government has also unveiled plans to develop a blue-green drainage network involving canals, estate lakes and pumping stations aimed at improving flood management across the state.

Despite these measures, experts believe Lagos will continue to experience recurring floods unless long-term investments are made to strengthen both natural and engineered flood-control systems.

The post Why Lagos Keeps Flooding: Experts Explain Causes and Solutions appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Residents of Efut Efio-Ene community in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State have appealed to the government for urgent intervention over persistent flooding that has devastated homes, damaged infrastructure and threatened lives in the area.

The community attributed the recurring flood incidents to an open drainage channel that directs stormwater from different parts of Calabar metropolis into the area, resulting in widespread destruction of residential properties, access roads and public infrastructure.

Speaking in Calabar, the Clan Head of Efut Efio-Ene, His Royal Highness Muri Ekong Umo Ekpo II, described the situation as alarming, noting that residents have continued to suffer significant losses due to the flooding.

According to him, the floodwaters have destroyed household items and personal belongings, contaminated drinking water sources, increased health risks and disrupted movement within the community.

“We are facing serious challenges because all the water channelled from different parts of Calabar flows directly into our community. The flooding has destroyed houses and properties, contaminated our water sources and exposed residents to various health hazards,” the monarch said.

The traditional ruler disclosed that the drainage system serving the area had not been properly cleared since the administration of former Governor Donald Duke, urging authorities to immediately desilt the drains before the peak of the rainy season.

He called on the federal and state governments, as well as emergency response agencies, to urgently intervene to prevent further destruction and possible loss of lives.

The Youth Leader of the community, Princewill Lawrence, warned that residents now live in fear as heavy rainfall could trigger more severe flooding, structural collapse and widespread damage to livelihoods.

“Residents are worried that increased rainfall in the coming weeks could lead to catastrophic flooding, destruction of property, collapse of weak structures and loss of lives,” he said.

Lawrence appealed for a comprehensive technical assessment of the affected areas and the implementation of sustainable flood-control measures, including proper drainage channels, retention systems and stormwater management infrastructure.

Also speaking, the Women Leader of the community, Obongawan Nanke Bassey, urged government authorities to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of residents before the situation worsens.

Reacting to the concerns, the Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Antigha Gill, said the government was aware of the problem and had already drawn the attention of relevant authorities to the situation.

Gill explained that the agency had previously communicated the matter to the state government, which subsequently directed the Ministry of Environment to take necessary action.

He added that the agency had received several letters from the community requesting intervention and assured residents that efforts were underway in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Calabar Urban Development Authority to address the flooding challenge.

The appeal comes as communities across Cross River State face increasing concerns over flooding risks during the peak rainy season, with residents calling for improved drainage infrastructure and proactive environmental management measures.

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The Lagos State Government and Agege Local Government have begun fresh discussions on a collaborative urban renewal initiative aimed at improving infrastructure, tackling environmental challenges, and driving community development within the council area.

The proposed partnership was discussed during a meeting between the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Ganiyu Obasa, and the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Office of Urban Development, Adetunji Adeyemi.

During the engagement, both parties examined ways to strengthen cooperation on urban regeneration projects, drainage systems, and environmental improvement efforts across Agege.

Obasa highlighted several ongoing grassroots development projects in the area, including the construction of community market villages and infrastructure upgrades around Kadiri Street, Bode Tobun Street, Adesokan Street, Okunola Street, and Disu Akogun Street.

According to the council chairman, the affected communities had already been identified under the state’s urban renewal framework and require structured intervention to improve living standards and stimulate economic activities.

“Our objective is to ensure that residents benefit from organised development capable of improving their environment and boosting local businesses,” Obasa stated.

Discussions also centred on the role of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA) in supporting complementary infrastructure such as drainage networks, flood control systems, and access roads to ensure proper integration of the projects into the state’s urban planning structure.

Officials noted that the collaboration would not be limited to physical construction alone but would also address environmental sustainability, effective drainage management, and flood mitigation measures in vulnerable communities.

At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to carry out a joint technical inspection of the project locations. The inspection team is expected to include LASURA officials, urban development experts, and drainage engineers who will assess ongoing work and identify additional intervention needs.

Although some of the proposed projects were not captured in the current budget cycle, the Office of Urban Development assured the council that efforts would be made to explore institutional support and possible implementation options.

Adeyemi commended the Agege Local Government for taking proactive steps toward addressing infrastructure deficits and environmental concerns within the area.

“We are committed to providing the necessary technical support and guidance to ensure that these projects align with the broader urban transformation agenda of Lagos State,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between state and local authorities in achieving sustainable urban renewal and coordinated physical development.

The meeting also addressed concerns over flooding, unregulated construction activities, and structural vulnerabilities in some parts of Agege. Both sides agreed on the need for stricter compliance measures and coordinated monitoring to prevent environmental degradation and uncontrolled development.

Officials present at the meeting included the General Manager of LASURA, Oladimeji Animashaun; the Council Engineer for Agege Local Government, Olajide Abejide; and senior officials from the Office of Urban Development and LASURA.

The post Lagos, Agege LG Move to Fast-Track Urban Renewal Projects appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to decommission major landfills that have exceeded their lifespan as part of a renewed effort to enhance waste management and promote environmental sustainability.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter) following a meeting with all 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Area chairmen.

Wahab said the move aligns with the state’s strategy to build a cleaner, flood-free Lagos through stronger coordination between state and local authorities.

“We are decommissioning landfills like Olusosun and Solous 3 that have outlived their usefulness, while ensuring that functional ones like Epe remain active and efficient,” he said.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, was attended by senior government officials, including the Commissioners for Transportation and Local Government Affairs, the Secretary to the State Government, and heads of agencies.

Wahab stressed that environmental management must begin at the grassroots, urging local councils to strengthen waste collection, community sensitisation, and enforcement against indiscriminate dumping.

He also reiterated that the ban on street trading remains in force, warning that environmental violations must be handled firmly.

“The state is investing in resilient drainage and flood control infrastructure, and local governments must replicate this commitment in their respective communities,” he added.

Wahab emphasized that environmental sustainability is a shared duty requiring joint action across all tiers of government.

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The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ₦134 billion contract for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt, earlier awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) by the former sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (rtd).

The decision, reached at the Council’s meeting on Thursday, followed a review of contracts awarded during the period of emergency administration. The Council also directed CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid to the company.

In another development, the Council approved the establishment of a six-member committee chaired by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, to assess and recommend locations for the construction of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state to support external examinations.

Additionally, the flood management committee, also led by the Deputy Governor, was instructed to intensify efforts to address flooding in Port Harcourt and other affected areas. The Council warned residents to stop blocking drainage channels to prevent further flooding.

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Researchers have called for urgent community-led efforts to address worsening flooding in Ajegunle, Lagos State, stressing the need for inclusive and sustainable solutions to protect vulnerable residents.

The call came during a meeting between Ajegunle residents and experts from the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development (CHSD), University of Lagos, under the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) led by the University of Manchester, UK.

Prof. Peter Elias, Co-Director of CHSD, said flooding in Lagos’ coastal settlements is worsening due to climate change, poor planning, and weak infrastructure. He noted that the Action Research for Climate Resilience (AR4CR) project aims to develop solutions through collaboration with local stakeholders.

Temilade Sesan, Lagos City Manager for ACRC, said the initiative will harness community knowledge to mitigate flood risks that cause deaths, asset loss, and displacement.

Bimbo Oshobe, President of the Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation, urged government support for the construction of embankments to protect the community, noting that dam releases and climate change worsen flooding beyond rainfall.

The post Researchers Urge Community-Driven Action to Curb Flooding in Lagos appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

According to LASBCA, the exercise aims to identify genuine victims, verify property ownership, and assess the extent of damage before any relief is provided. The process includes document review, on-site inspection, and interviews with claimants to ensure transparency and prevent fraudulent claims.

Agency sources confirmed that only residents with valid proof of ownership or tenancy on legally approved structures will qualify for compensation. Claims involving illegal buildings on canal setbacks, drainage paths, or other restricted zones will be excluded in line with state planning regulations.

Community representatives have welcomed the move as a necessary step toward fairness but urged the government to ensure transparency and equity in the process to avoid political interference.

LASBCA said the verification would be completed within a defined timeline, after which compensation and relocation plans will begin. The agency noted that the demolitions were part of Lagos State’s broader flood control and urban renewal strategy aimed at protecting lives and infrastructure in vulnerable areas.

The post Lagos Begins Verification for Oworonshoki Demolition Victims Ahead of Compensation The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Lagos State Government has suspended all land reclamation projects across the state, warning that defaulters have seven days to comply or face strict sanctions.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the ministry is worried about “the proliferation of reclamation activities on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons statewide, especially in Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, and parts of Ikorodu.”

He noted that “many projects lacked proper Environmental Impact Assessment approvals and drainage clearance from the ministry,” adding that reclamation, though useful for housing and infrastructure, “carried risks of flooding, erosion, and ecosystem disruption.”

“Lagos’s low-lying topography and fragile ecosystem cannot withstand indiscriminate reclamation activities without grave consequences,” Wahab said.

“Consequently, the ministry is by this notice directing all reclamation projects across the state, with or without EIA approval and drainage clearance, to be suspended immediately.

“All approved Reclamation Projects across the State must be submitted for proper documentation and monitoring, while all ongoing and intending ones must be subjected to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process with issuance of approval letter and drainage clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”

He warned that “non-compliance within seven days would attract strict sanctions, including site decommissioning and arrest of violators.”

The commissioner added that the ministry would “remove illegal fills, reopen blocked water channels, and prosecute anyone involved in violations. Enough is enough.”

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