Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has attributed Lagos' persistent flooding to its coastal location and naturally low-lying landscape, rather than blaming the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. He made the remarks while hosting David Umahi, the minister of works, and National Assembly members during an inspection of the multi-billion-naira highway initiative.
Sanwo-Olu noted that flooding remains a normal feature of coastal cities worldwide. "Lagos is a coastal city.
When people say Lagos has flooded, without mincing words, we will always experience some level of flooding," he told reporters on Monday at Lagos House, Marina.
The governor explained that geography makes seasonal flooding almost unavoidable for the state. Lagos occupies less than 0.4 per cent of Nigeria's total landmass, yet nearly one-third of its territory consists of water bodies, he noted.
Rapid population expansion has compounded pressure on the state's land and infrastructure resources. He added that even sophisticated drainage systems can struggle temporarily when heavy rainfall strikes.
Sanwo-Olu defended the coastal highway as a transformative national project that would unlock economic growth and enhance Nigerians' quality of life. He urged critics to stop politicising the infrastructure development.
"Two years ago, it felt like it was just a political conversation, but today people are already using the road," Sanwo-Olu said, expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for the initiative. "Lagos has been the first major beneficiary, and we are indeed grateful because it will enhance the quality of life of our people and improve the economy of the country."
The governor warned against allowing social media narratives to overshadow factual information. "We cannot allow social media to define who we are.
That does not mean we ignore our challenges," he added, emphasizing the need to confront problems while understanding environmental realities.
Indiscriminate waste disposal has worsened flooding throughout the state, Sanwo-Olu said, identifying blocked drainage channels as a leading cause of urban inundation. The government previously banned styrofoam use due to its harmful environmental consequences, he reminded residents.
Fresh environmental regulations would soon be introduced to strengthen protection efforts, the governor disclosed. The state has also commenced a major clean-up operation along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway to safeguard public infrastructure.
Sanwo-Olu stressed zero tolerance for activities damaging roads or obstructing drainage systems. The government has contracted a mechanised street-cleaning company to deploy specialised six-lane sweeping machines for daily highway cleaning, he revealed.
He assured Lagos residents that protecting public investments through proper infrastructure maintenance remained a priority for his administration.
