LASG Rewards Drainage Heroes for Flood-Free 2025

Lagos State Government (LASG) has celebrated its frontline warriors against flooding by rewarding operatives from the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) and the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance team. The Monday event at Alausa Secretariat marked the end-of-year party and awards ceremony, where cash prizes and recognition highlighted their tireless efforts in delivering a sustainable flood-free Lagos throughout 2025.

Engr. Olakunle Rotimi Akodu, Special Adviser on Environment, lauded the teams during his keynote address. “The reward for hard work is more work,” he declared, assuring continued government support through essential facilities and resources. Akodu emphasized that even unawarded staff remain valued, urging greater effort in the coming year. He spotlighted their year-round cleanup of secondary drains and manholes across Lagos’s 52 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

Lagos’s geography—surrounded by lagoons, creeks, and the Atlantic Ocean—makes it prone to flooding, exacerbated by global warming and urban pressures. EFAG’s rapid response to flash floods ensures drainage systems handle stormwater effectively, bringing relief to residents. Akodu credited their proactive measures for curbing incidents despite Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) forecasts of above-average rainfall in 2025. Official data confirms minimal disruptions, with LASG’s pre-rain preparations proving pivotal.

“We were ready before the rains arrived, overcoming challenges through foresight,” Akodu noted. He pledged enhancements to these strategies, aiming to eradicate flooding entirely. Advocacy campaigns will intensify, targeting indiscriminate waste disposal—a major clogger of drains in this water-encircled megacity.

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Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary for Drainage Services, opened the event by reiterating LASG’s commitment. Annual fetes and category-based cash awards motivate the teams, he said, aligning with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision for a resilient metropolis. Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, Permanent Secretary for Environmental Services, echoed this, praising Lagos’s edge over other coastal states in flood management. “Don’t rest on your oars—sustain this for a cleaner, healthier Lagos,” he implored.

Award Highlights and Broader Context

The ceremony peaked with presentations in key categories, fostering healthy competition:

• Best Zonal Operatives
• Best Overall Supervisor
• Best Drivers (Quarterly)
• Best Operators (Quarterly)
• Best Driver Mates (Quarterly)
• Best Operator Mates (Quarterly)
• Best Zonal Drainage Attendants
• Best Zones (Quarterly)
• Permanent Secretary’s Best Performing Award

Recent reports from LASG’s Ministry of Environment (as of late 2025) underscore EFAG’s impact: over 1,200 drainage interventions, clearing thousands of blockages amid record rains exceeding 2,000mm annually—higher than the 2024 average of 1,800mm per NIMET. This aligns with Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, emphasizing environment and sustainability. Similar recognitions occurred in prior years, like 2024’s awards amid Operation Clean Lagos, boosting morale amid climate challenges.

As 2026 dawns, officials vow escalated enforcement against illegal dumping, community sensitization, and infrastructure upgrades like the ongoing Ogun River dredging. These steps position Lagos as Africa’s flood-resilient benchmark.