Minister Blames Flooding On Poor Drainage Implementation & Waste Disposal Along Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

 

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has attributed the flooding affecting parts of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor to the failure to fully implement Lagos State’s flood management master plan, as well as indiscriminate waste disposal by residents.Umahi made the remarks on Sunday during an inspection of Section Three of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, stating that the Federal Government would conduct a technical assessment of the coastal highway and its surrounding areas.

He explained that the assessment, scheduled for Tuesday, would involve members of the National Assembly, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu. According to him, the exercise is aimed at evaluating the highway and adjoining areas, not to assign blame, but to ensure proper technical review and long-term solutions.

“We will evaluate the coastal highway and the surrounding areas, not because we are responsible for the flooding, but because the President has directed us to carry out a technical assessment,” Umahi said.

The minister noted that preliminary observations suggested that key drainage channels and lagoon systems outlined in Lagos State’s master plan had not been fully implemented, a situation he said has worsened flooding in affected areas.

He also identified poor waste management practices as a major contributing factor, warning that blocked drainage channels continue to reduce the effectiveness of existing flood-control infrastructure.

“You can see the amount of refuse on our roads. People dump waste into drainage channels, and this contributes significantly to flooding. This country belongs to all of us, and we all have a responsibility to protect public infrastructure,” he said.

Umahi commended President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development and urged citizens to support ongoing projects across the country.

He also praised Hitech Construction Company Ltd., the contractor handling the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, for the progress made on the project, noting that about 10 per cent of the permanent works had been completed.

The minister advised the contractor to remain focused on its assigned scope of work, adding that issues relating to a proposed flyover should be handled by the Ogun State Government.

During the inspection, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far. He described the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway as a major infrastructure project expected to boost trade, agriculture, and employment opportunities.

Goronyo said the highway, which begins from Illela in Sokoto State, would serve as a key driver of economic growth once completed.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, described the project as one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure initiatives. He urged the Ministry of Works to maintain momentum in its execution.

Onyesoh also commended President Tinubu and the ministry for their commitment to infrastructure development across Nigeria.