The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to upgrading and building resilient drainage infrastructure to mitigate flooding across the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, gave the assurance on Sunday during an inspection tour í2of ongoing drainage projects, including the Lagos Island Regeneration Project, and sites at Onikoyi Banana Island and Femi Pedro Avenue in Parkview Estate.

Wahab, who spoke with journalists during the tour, said the completion of the regeneration project would address long-standing flooding issues across Lagos Island and its environs.

During a stop at Gorodom Market, the Commissioner inspected the ongoing Secondary Collector Drain lining and expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work. He also visited Ikoyi following previous investigations into flash flooding at Turnbull/Banana Island Road. Wahab revealed that a blocked underground culvert near the Shoreline entrance was responsible for the recent flooding in the area.

“The last heavy rainfall affected Banana Island Road into Turnbull, but we have since carried out remedial work and upgraded the infrastructure,” Wahab stated.

He explained that the current level of development on Banana Island Road had exceeded the capacity of existing tertiary drains. As a solution, one of the tertiary drains may be upgraded to a secondary collector to ensure efficient discharge into the main collector at Mojisola Onikoyi and subsequently into the Lagoon.

The inspection team also visited Underbridge Idumagbo and under the Third Mainland Bridge along Oja Oba Street, off Adeniji Adele Road, where enforcement had previously been carried out to remove illegal trading activities. However, traders were found to have returned, prompting a fresh evacuation order from the Commissioner.

Wahab emphasized that while the government is mindful of residents’ economic activities, trading under critical infrastructure poses risks and undermines ongoing efforts to maintain proper drainage. He noted that the Idumagbo under-bridge area was cleared earlier in the year and was mmintended to remain free of obstructions.

“If the traders must return, it must be done in a regulated manner and not under the bridges. If anything happens, the public will blame the government for neglecting its duties, forgetting that citizens also have responsibilities,” Wahab said.

He disclosed that some individuals had shown interest in converting the under-bridge spaces into parks, and the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) had already provided design templates for such transformations.

The tour ended at Parkview Estate, where Wahab inspected ongoing drainage works aimed at channeling stormwater from Femi Pedro Avenue into the Lagoon. He noted that the project is expected to be completed within 90 days.

Wahab reiterated that Lagos, as a coastal city, remains vulnerable to climate change impacts such as sea level rise, excessive rainfall, and extreme heat, stressing that human activities must not be allowed to sabotage critical infrastructure.

Also speaking during the inspection, former Deputy Governor Otunba Femi Pedro commended the government’s efforts at Parkview Estate, noting that the newly constructed secondary collector drains on Olufemi Pedro Avenue and Agodogba Estate are now wider and deeper, which will help eliminate flooding challenges in the area.