Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, have dismissed claims that the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is responsible for flooding in parts of Lagos, describing the allegations as misinformation circulating on social media.
The two officials spoke during an inspection visit to the project alongside members of the National Assembly. The visit, according to Umahi, was directed by President Bola Tinubu following widespread online reports linking the highway to recent flooding in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the Federal Government for delivering what he described as a transformative infrastructure project, noting that the Coastal Highway had moved from a political promise to a functional reality.
“Two years ago, it felt like it was just a political conversation, but today people are already using the road. We thank Mr. President for this landmark project. Lagos has been the first major beneficiary, and it will enhance the quality of life of our people while improving the nation’s economy,” the governor said.
Addressing concerns over flooding, Sanwo-Olu explained that Lagos’ coastal geography makes seasonal flooding inevitable. He noted that the state occupies less than 0.4 per cent of Nigeria’s landmass, with about one-third of its territory covered by water, while its rapidly growing population continues to place pressure on land and infrastructure.
According to him, heavy rainfall can temporarily overwhelm drainage systems, but floodwaters typically recede after a short period. He also accused some social media users of creating misleading impressions by sharing images captured at the peak of flooding without showing conditions after the water had subsided.
The governor identified indiscriminate waste disposal and blocked drainage channels as major contributors to urban flooding. He said the state government would continue enforcing environmental regulations, including its ban on styrofoam, while introducing additional measures to improve waste management and drainage.
Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that the Lagos State Government has begun a major clean-up of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway and signed an agreement with a mechanised street-cleaning company to deploy specialised sweeping machines for the daily maintenance of the Coastal Highway.
He added that service roads would be constructed along the highway to improve access for residents and businesses while protecting the integrity of the main carriageway, acknowledging that some structures may need to be removed to accommodate the project.
Speaking during the visit, Minister of Works David Umahi described claims linking the highway to flooding as false and misleading. He said flooding had been experienced in several states across the country and had been forecast in advance for at least 22 states.
“We were concerned about the negative narrative on social media claiming that the Coastal Highway caused flooding in Lagos. The President directed us to inspect the situation with members of the National Assembly,” Umahi said.
The minister explained that the highway was intentionally elevated to withstand ocean surges and protect the corridor from flooding for the next 20 to 30 years. He noted that many of the affected areas were naturally swampy long before construction began and warned that buildings constructed below approved flood levels would remain vulnerable to flooding.
Umahi commended the Lagos State Government’s drainage master plan, particularly its strategy of directing stormwater into lagoons instead of the Atlantic Ocean. He disclosed that more than 80 per cent of the drainage evacuation channels leading to the lagoons had already been completed.
He further announced that the Federal Government and Lagos State would collaborate on additional drainage channels and service roads along both sides of the Coastal Highway. While some structures would be affected by the expansion, he said stakeholder engagements had been planned to ensure cooperation from impacted residents.
The minister also revealed plans to install surveillance cameras, wind stations, parking facilities, tourism infrastructure and other modern amenities along the corridor, stressing that strict development control would be enforced to ensure the highway meets international standards.
