LAGOS — Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, for what he described as their swift response to recent flooding in parts of Lagos allegedly linked to the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Onyesoh spoke on Monday during an inspection tour of the coastal highway led by Umahi, alongside members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders.
He noted that the minister had earlier convened a stakeholders’ meeting to examine the causes of the flooding and explore practical solutions.
Umahi also announced the deployment of 40 youths to monitor the highway corridor against vandalism and misuse.
According to Onyesoh, experts at the meeting presented detailed technical analyses, including diagrams and geographical assessments, showing that flooding has long been a recurring challenge in Lagos.
“We sat through what I would describe as a seminar, where experts explained Lagos’ geographical location, weather patterns and other environmental factors.
“Flooding in Lagos did not begin today. It dates back to the colonial era, so what we are witnessing is not a new phenomenon,” he said.
The senator argued that the flooding being experienced around the coastal highway should not be attributed to the road project.
“Even where we are standing, we can see floodwater moving. The water is flowing naturally from the ocean inland, which means that even without the coastal highway, the water would still find its course,” he said.
He added that flooding is a global environmental challenge and not one peculiar to Nigeria.
“Minister, I am not surprised by the efforts you are making. I must tell you that I am impressed because your response has been timely,” Onyesoh added.
Similarly, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, praised President Tinubu and the Minister of Works for responding promptly to the flooding.
He also urged journalists, content creators and social media influencers to exercise caution by verifying information before attributing the flooding to the coastal highway.
“Anyone with an audience, especially journalists and social media influencers, has a responsibility to ensure the information they share is accurate because people trust what they publish.
“It is easy to conclude that the coastal road caused the flooding, but it is important to consult experts before making such broad assumptions,” he said.
Also speaking during the inspection, Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, said members of the National Assembly were satisfied that the coastal highway was not responsible for the flooding in the affected parts of Lagos.
“We have seen, as parliamentarians, that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is in no way responsible for the flooding in this area. History has shown that flooding in Lagos is as old as the city itself,” he said.
Nwaebonyi called for closer collaboration between environmental experts and the Lagos State Government to develop sustainable measures for flood control.
He also urged residents to heed expert advice by avoiding activities that obstruct drainage channels and natural waterways.
“I also appeal to the Lagos State Government’s environmental agencies to ensure that all drainage channels and waterways are properly cleared.
“In many instances, our own actions contribute significantly to the flooding we experience,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed confidence in the Minister of Works’ ability to address Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges and assured Nigerians that efforts were ongoing to mitigate the impact of flooding in affected communities.