The Honorable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has vehemently refuted allegations that the ongoing Lagos‒Calabar Coastal Highway project is exacerbating flooding in parts of Lagos.
Instead, the Minister asserted that the ambitious infrastructure is meticulously engineered to enhance drainage and facilitate the efficient evacuation of the floodwaters from vulnerable shoreline communities.
During a recent on-the-spot assessment of the highway’s completed and active sections, accompanied by members of the National Assembly, Senior Special Assistants to the President, and officials from the Ministry of Environment, Engr. Umahi clarified the Ministry’s proactive discussions with the Lagos State Government.
These talks, the Minister noted, focused on the essential dredging and other environmental mitigation strategies crucial for addressing flooding in affected areas.
Umahi squarely attributed the persistent flooding to indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blockage of drainage channels and manholes, and gross violations of environmental regulations by some residents.
He emphasized that the highway itself is not the root cause of the flooding but rather an integral part of its longterm solution. “You can see people blocking manholes and creating hazards to the environment.
*Many complaints about flooding are caused by human activities, not the road project,” the Minister stressed, highlighting the critical role of public cooperation in environmental
preservation.
Umahi reassured all stakeholders that the Federal Government, in close collaboration with the Lagos State Government, is actively implementing comprehensive environmental remediation measures.
These include extensive dredging operations, significant improvements to existing drainage systems, and rigorous enforcement of the approved “Right of Way.”
He issued a stern warning that any structures found obstructing drainage
channels or violating established setbacks would be promptly removed.
The Lagos‒Calabar Coastal Highway, according to the Minister, integrates advanced engineering features, such as strategically placed culverts, robust drainage systems, and resilient embankments, all meticulously designed to effectively manage stormwaters.
He further elaborated that the project seamlessly complements other ongoing flood-control initiatives, including those around the Aqua Atlantic development and Oshodi.
The Minister’s visit was prompted by a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underscoring the administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives, properties, and vital infrastructure while simultaneously promoting sustainable development.
In a move to foster collaborative solutions, Umahi announced a crucial Stakeholders’ Engagement scheduled for today, Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
This engagement will bring together the Senate and House Committees on Works, the Ministry of Environment, the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Lagos State Govt, representatives of concerned Landlords’ Associations, and other pertinent government agencies.
The primary objectives of this gathering are to address pressing environmental
concerns, intensify awareness campaigns on environmentally friendly practices, highlight the dangers of detrimental ones, and deepen collaborative efforts in flood management.
Umahi extended his appreciation to Members of the National Assembly, the Governor of Lagos State, the Minister of Environment, SSAs-P (Community Engagement), Ministry.Staff, Hitech Construction Company, and other stakeholders for their invaluable cooperation.
He assured residents that all blocked drainage channels and refuse dumps
along the project corridor would be cleared.
Moremi Ojudu, the SSAP on Community Engagement, South West, echoed the call for collective responsibility in tackling environmental and human-induced factors, reiterating the President’s dedication to environmental sustainability.
The Director of Environmental
Impact Assessment, Federal Ministry of Environment, acknowledged the escalating impact of climate change and the unique environmental challenges confronting Lagos.
She confirmed that the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment received approval prior to its commencement.
Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the Minority Whip of the Senate, commented, “The history of flooding in Lagos is as old as the city itself, and we have seen, as a Parliament, that the reason for the flooding is not the Coastal Highway.”
He advocated for adherence to the
opinions of environmental experts in formulating remedial and preventative solutions to this global issue.
In their separate remarks, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, and Hon. Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House Committee on Works, lauded the Minister’s prompt response to Mr. President’s directive.
They observed that flooding was a
pre-existing condition in Lagos, predating the Coastal Highway’s commencement, attributing it to the effects of global warming and emphasizing the need for proactive solutions.
To further protect the completed sections of the Highway, the Minister instructed Engr. Olufemi Dare, the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, to ensure strict compliance with
environmental safety standards.
He also announced the recruitment of 40 personnel—20 for day duty and 20 for night—to continuously monitor the highway, prevent theft and vandalism of road furniture, and deter illegal refuse dumping.
Umahi concluded by guaranteeing residents along the alignment that all
environmental concerns raised during the inspection would continue to receive prompt attention through sustained stakeholder engagement and effective mitigation measures.
