The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has blamed the flooding around the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on the non-implementation of the Lagos State flood control master plan and indiscriminate dumping of refuse by residents.
Umahi spoke during an inspection tour of Section Three of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
The minister said President Bola Tinubu had directed a technical evaluation of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and its surrounding areas following concerns over flooding.
He disclosed that he would, on Tuesday, inspect the coastal highway with some members of the National Assembly to assess the situation and identify the cause of the flooding.
“We will go and evaluate the coastal highway and the surroundings tomorrow, not that we are causing the flooding but because the President had directed that we go and technically evaluate it,” Umahi said.
He said preliminary observations showed that Lagos State’s master plan for flood management had not been fully implemented.
According to him, the plan provides designated drainage points, including lagoons, through which floodwater should be channelled, but those provisions have not been carried out.
“We are calling the Lagos State Government because we found out that the master plan of Lagos State in terms of flooding is not being implemented.
“There is a number of designated points — lagoons — that this water is supposed to be drained in. They have not been done,” he said.
Umahi also expressed concern over the volume of refuse dumped along roads and drainage channels in Lagos, saying such conduct worsens flooding.
He said indiscriminate refuse disposal blocks drainage systems and contributes significantly to water overflow on roads.
“You can see the amount of refuse even on our way. You can see the indiscipline of Nigerians that carry refuse to block drainage channels.
“This country belongs to all of us; so, we must work,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to support government efforts in infrastructure development and avoid destructive criticism, saying President Tinubu had shown commitment to addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit.
During the inspection of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Umahi commended Hitech Construction Company Limited, the contractor handling the project, for the pace of work.
He said the contractor had achieved 10 per cent of the permanent work, describing the progress as impressive.
“Hitech, you have achieved 10 per cent of the permanent work. This is mind-blowing,” he said.
Addressing issues around a bridge and flyover on the route, Umahi urged the contractor to remain focused on its scope of work, while allowing the Ogun State Government to handle its own flyover project.
“On the bridge you are talking about, the flyover, concentrate on your work.
“Let Ogun State Government do its flyover. We cannot inherit a foundation we are not sure of. Let your job be like a service lane,” he added.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, also expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
He said the project, which begins from Illela in Sokoto State, would serve as a major driver of economic growth when completed.
According to him, the road will boost commerce, improve agricultural movement, create employment opportunities and enhance development across the corridor.
“Once the road is built, it is an enabler of growth and development and will lead to prosperity,” Goronyo said.
He commended President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development and praised Umahi for what he described as effective leadership and vision in the works sector.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, described the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway as a gigantic project and said the legacy projects of the Tinubu administration should not be underrated.
He urged Umahi to continue driving infrastructure development across the country, while expressing appreciation to the President for his efforts toward national advancement.
