Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has categorically dismissed claims that the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is to blame for recent flooding incidents in Lagos. Instead, he has pinned the responsibility on the failure of the Lagos State Government to implement its existing flood management master plan and the rampant practice of indiscriminate refuse dumping by residents.
Speaking on Sunday during an inspection of Section Three of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Senator Umahi emphasized that the coastal highway is designed as part of a long-term solution to environmental challenges, rather than a catalyst for them.
Technical Assessment Ordered
Addressing the recurring flooding, the Minister disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Works to conduct a comprehensive technical evaluation of the highway corridor and its surrounding areas.
”We will evaluate the coastal highway and the surrounding areas, not because we are causing the flooding, but because the President has directed that we conduct a technical evaluation to identify the root causes,” Umahi stated.
The Minister confirmed that officials from the Lagos State Government will be invited to participate in this exercise. He noted that preliminary findings suggest a significant gap in urban planning, specifically the failure to channel floodwater into designated lagoons as prescribed by the state’s own master plan.
Call for Environmental Discipline
Beyond infrastructure gaps, the Minister voiced strong frustration over the “indiscipline” of residents who dispose of refuse in drainage channels and manholes. He warned that this behavior remains a primary driver of urban flooding, as it obstructs the flow of stormwaters, effectively rendering even well-designed drainage systems useless.
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Progress on the Sokoto-Badagry Corridor
During the inspection of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway—another flagship project of the current administration—the Minister and his team expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the contractor, Hitech Construction Company Limited.
- Project Milestone: Permanent works on the inspected section have reached approximately 10 per cent completion.
- Quality Assurance: The Minister commended the high standards of construction, noting that the use of Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology is being replicated across various federal road projects nationwide.
- Infrastructure Synergy: The Ministry clarified that while federal efforts focus on road construction and service lanes, the responsibility for secondary infrastructure, such as flyovers within state jurisdictions, lies with the respective state governments.
Joining the Minister, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, reaffirmed that the Sokoto-Badagry project is a vital economic catalyst. They urged citizens to recognize the project’s long-term potential for national integration, agricultural expansion, and job creation, advising against what they termed “destructive criticism” of vital national infrastructure investments.
