Sanwo-olu, Umahi Says Coastal Highway Didn’t Worsen Lagos Floods by SlavaUkraini(op): 9:31am
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, and David Umahi, minister of works, have dismissed claims that the ongoing Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is responsible for flooding in parts of the state.
The duo spoke on Monday during a courtesy visit by the minister and members of the national assembly to the Lagos governor.
Umahi said President Bola Tinubu directed an inspection of the project following reports on social media alleging that the highway had triggered flooding in Lagos.
Severe flooding caused by days of persistent rainfall has inundated roads, homes and vehicles across parts of Lagos, with some residents attributing the situation to the ongoing Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
However, the minister of works described the claims as false, noting that flooding had been recorded in several parts of Nigeria and had already been forecast in at least 22 states across the country.
“We were concerned about the negative narrative on social media claiming that the coastal highway caused flooding in Lagos,” Umahi said.
The president directed us to come with members of the national assembly to assess the situation ourselves.”
He noted that the highway was intentionally elevated to withstand ocean surges and protect the corridor from flooding for the next two to three decades.
He added that the affected communities were swampy before construction began, arguing that buildings erected below approved flood levels would remain vulnerable regardless of the highway project.
