The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has dismissed claims that the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is responsible for recent flooding in surrounding communities, insisting that blocked drainage systems, indiscriminate refuse dumping, and inadequate flood management are the major causes of the problem.
Umahi made the remarks during an inspection of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway project alongside federal lawmakers and officials of the Ministry of Works.
He said the Federal Government would carry out a technical assessment of the coastal highway and nearby communities following President Bola Tinubu's directive, stressing that the evaluation is intended to establish the true causes of the flooding rather than confirm allegations against the project.
According to the minister, engineers discovered that underground drainage channels constructed to evacuate floodwater had been obstructed by refuse dumped into manholes and drainage systems.
He said such actions prevent the free flow of water during heavy rainfall and significantly increase the risk of flooding in affected areas.
Umahi also criticised the indiscriminate disposal of waste by residents, describing it as a major contributor to urban flooding.
He noted that clogged drains reduce the efficiency of existing drainage infrastructure and called on citizens to adopt more responsible environmental practices to protect lives and public infrastructure.
The minister further argued that the Lagos State Government has not fully implemented aspects of its flood management master plan.
He said several designated drainage outlets intended to channel excess stormwater into lagoons have yet to be completed, making flood control more difficult during periods of intense rainfall.
Reaffirming confidence in the engineering design of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi maintained that the project was constructed with adequate drainage facilities and modern engineering standards capable of handling expected water flow.
He insisted there is no technical evidence linking the highway's construction to the recent flooding incidents.
Speaking on the progress of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the minister praised the quality of work being delivered by the contractor, stating that similar construction standards are being applied across major federal highway projects nationwide.
He added that the government remains committed to ensuring contractors meet required specifications and timelines.
Officials overseeing the Sokoto-Badagry Highway project disclosed that significant progress has already been achieved on one section of the road, with several kilometres of continuously reinforced concrete pavement completed.
The ministry said work is continuing on other sections to improve connectivity and support economic development across the corridor.
Flooding has remained a recurring challenge in Lagos during the rainy season, with experts often attributing the problem to a combination of heavy rainfall, blocked drainage channels, rapid urbanisation, and inadequate waste management.
Environmental specialists have repeatedly urged stronger enforcement of sanitation regulations alongside improved drainage infrastructure to reduce flood risks.
Umahi assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Works would continue monitoring the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and collaborate with relevant authorities to address environmental concerns where necessary.
He reiterated that protecting critical infrastructure requires both effective government planning and responsible public behaviour in maintaining drainage systems and preventing indiscriminate waste disposal.