The Lagos State Government on Sunday reaffirmed its determination to combat flooding across the metropolis by restoring drainage right-of-ways and establishing robust infrastructure to manage stormwater.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, made this known while briefing journalists during an inspection of the ongoing 4.2-kilometre concrete drainage lining project spanning Ikeja and Kosofe Local Government Areas.

Wahab stated that the project, awarded in 2024, is being executed in phases. He revealed that the section from Sheraton to Ojota is currently 45 percent completed, with the entire initiative slated for delivery within 24 months.

Describing the technical aspects of the development, the Commissioner said the 25-metre-wide trapezoidal drain will channel water downstream beneath the new Maryland bridge.

He added that since the onset of the 2025 rainy season, residents have reported a significant improvement in flood mitigation across the state, attributing this to the government’s ongoing year-round dredging and clearing of canals and drainage channels.

Providing further detail, Wahab said the Ogudu sheet piling segment of the project remains the most complex. He disclosed that contractors had been instructed to ensure all necessary sheet piles are procured and available ahead of installation.

“System 1, known as the Odo-Iyalaro project, has three components. One channel originates from Ogba, another from behind Sheraton, with both converging near the Maryland bridge. Construction will commence from Sheraton Bridge heading back toward Maryland. Roads will also be constructed on either side by the Ministry of Infrastructure. We expect the full project to reach completion in the next 24 months,” he said.

The Commissioner noted that the Maryland–Mende–Arowojobe corridor, once a flood-prone zone, had seen significant improvements following the re-establishment of the drainage right-of-way and the installation of effective stormwater infrastructure.

During a visit to the Adisa Balogun Channel in Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Wahab reacted to anonymous reports of illegal construction on the drainage alignment. He ordered immediate issuance of abatement notices to trespassing property owners.

“We continue to appeal to residents to desist from encroaching on drainage alignments. However, when persuasion fails, we will not hesitate to enforce compliance through decisive action,” he warned.

Wahab also directed officials to issue notices to residents near the Ogudu section (Odo-Iya Alaro downstream) who had been observed turning their surroundings into illegal refuse dumps.

“We’ve seen that some households are now creating makeshift dump sites near their properties. These areas will be monitored, and violators will be notified to stop such practices before the area becomes an unregulated dump,” he said.

On the enforcement of the state-wide ban on single-use plastics (SUPs), the Commissioner reiterated the government’s resolve to continue its clampdown. He explained that following 18 months of sustained public engagement and stakeholder consultations, enforcement had recently commenced in several markets across both the Island and Mainland.

“The ban on SUPs is not symbolic. Enforcement is ongoing and will continue across all markets in Lagos. We are scaling up public sensitisation via radio, television and social media to ensure residents understand the implications and comply,” Wahab noted.

He was accompanied on the inspection by Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretaries Gaji Omobolaji (Environmental Services) and Engr. Mahamood Adegbite (Drainage Services); Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin; KAI Corps Marshal, Major Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd); GM of LASWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi; and several directors from the Ministry and its agencies.

The team visited key project locations including the System 1 drainage channel (Sheraton to Ojota section and Ogudu sheet pile area), and the Adisa Balogun channel in Agboyi-Ketu.