…absolves Lagos coastal way of responsibility
The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has identified the low-lying topography of Lagos State and critical lapses in public waste disposal as the primary drivers of persistent flooding across the metropolis.
Speaking at a stakeholder forum at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, Umahi stated that the location of the state naturally predisposes it to flooding, drawing parallels to other global environmental challenges.
The Minister emphasized that the state’s vulnerability is fundamentally tied to its landscape, noting that Lagos is founded on lowlands.
Umahi described the flooding as a natural occurrence, comparing them to other inevitable climate disruptions witnessed worldwide.
He explained that just as other countries face earthquakes, hurricanes, or severe snowstorms, Lagos has a weather pattern where rain falls continuously for seven days, making flooding an expected outcome.
The Minister noted that flooding issues have long historical roots in the region, predating major infrastructural projects like the coastal highway.
He underscored that while these challenges existed in the past and remain visible today, the federal government is focused on long-term resilience rather than treating it as a new phenomenon.
Beyond natural factors, the Minister warned against improper waste disposal and structural alterations by residents, which heavily compromise the state’s drainage channels.
Umahi highlighted several human activities currently blocking the free flow of water, explaining that residents are dumping refuse directly into culverts, pouring solid waste inside manholes, and even using concrete to deliberately block critical discharge points.
He further revealed that the federal ministry is working in close alignment with the Lagos State Government to implement immediate and lasting solutions.
He added that forthcoming high-tech infrastructure reviews would outline a clearer, collaborative roadmap to systematically combat the problem.
Acknowledging that the necessary interventions might cause temporary disruptions for residents, Umahi concluded with a popular maxim, stating that to make an omelet, one must be prepared to break an egg.