The Lagos State Government says it’s taking bold steps to tackle the perennial problem of flooding by clearing blocked drainages and building stronger infrastructure across the city.

Speaking after an inspection tour on Sunday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the state is determined to keep Lagos dry even during heavy rains. He visited a key 4.2-kilometre concrete drainage project stretching through Ikeja and Kosofe local government areas.

According to Wahab, this ambitious drainage upgrade—awarded in 2024—is being executed in phases. The stretch from Sheraton to Ojota is already about 45% complete, and the entire project is expected to wrap up within the next 24 months.

How the new drainage works

The Commissioner explained that the trapezoidal-shaped drain will eventually flow under the new Maryland Bridge, helping channel stormwater effectively and prevent water from flooding streets and homes.

“This project is not just about one channel,” Wahab said. “There are three main arms of the Odo Iyalaro System 1 project: one from Ogba, another behind Sheraton, and they all meet at Maryland. From there, roads will be constructed alongside the drain by the Ministry of Infrastructure.”

He noted that feedback from Lagos residents since the start of this year’s rainy season has been encouraging. Many are seeing fewer cases of flooding—thanks to the state’s relentless year-round cleaning and dredging of canals.

Zero tolerance for illegal refuse dumps

Wahab didn’t mince words about encroachment on drainage corridors. He warned residents who build on or block drainage paths to stop or face stiff penalties.

During his tour, he ordered that houses near the Ogudu section of Odo Iyalaro that were turning their surroundings into makeshift dumps be served immediate notices to halt these illegal activities.

“We’ve seen some houses starting to build small refuse sites around their premises. If we allow this, one day we’ll wake up and find a full-blown illegal dumpsite. We won’t let that happen,” he said.

Looking ahead

As Lagos continues to grow, managing stormwater has become a top priority to avoid the nightmare scenes of streets and homes submerged after downpours. The state’s current strategy combines long-term drainage projects with consistent cleaning of existing channels.

But Wahab stressed that residents also have a critical role to play. “Don’t dump refuse in drainages. Don’t build on water paths. We all have to work together to keep Lagos flood-free.”