Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr. Femi Pedro, has commended the state government for its efforts in enhancing environmental safety and mitigating flooding during and after the rainy season.
Pedro commended the Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, while speaking with journalists after inspecting projects across Lagos Island and nearby areas, including Ikoyi.
“My thanks go to Gov. Sanwo-Olu, the commissioner, and his team. Historically, Parkville was waterlogged before being developed into what we see today.
“We’ve worked on this for a while. I see progress. The drainage has been deepened and now flows directly into the lagoon,” Pedro noted.
He added that the project would be completed within three months, significantly reducing flash flooding and the volume of water entering nearby estates.
“I know many Parkville residents are concerned. I want to reassure them that a solution is underway,” Pedro said.
Wahab said he came to assess how well the Environment, Works, and Infrastructure ministries were complying with directives and carrying out regeneration projects.
“We visited Lagos Island to inspect drainage work and infrastructure regeneration efforts being handled by the relevant ministries,” Wahab explained.
He said they inspected previous enforcement sites where people had begun re-encroaching, and authorities had ordered evacuations under the bridge.
Wahab also inspected an ongoing project around Gorodom, related to drainage collectors, and expressed satisfaction with the progress made.
They later visited Ikoyi, where investigations had shown that Tombul is prone to flash flooding, prompting further assessment.
Wahab said a blocked channel had been discovered and immediate steps were being taken to resolve the issue.
“We found a blocked underground culvert near the Tombul shoreline. We’ve ordered an investigation to determine how to clear the blockage,” he stated.
The team proceeded to Banana Island Road, which recently experienced severe flash flooding due to heavy rainfall.
Wahab said investigations showed that remedial work and infrastructure upgrades were urgently needed in the area.
“The level of development has overwhelmed existing drains. We may upgrade one to a secondary collector to drain Tombul into the shoreline,” he said.
He assured the former deputy governor that the Parkview project would be finished within 90 days to ensure effective drainage.
“We’ll discharge Tombul into Banana Island Road, then through Onikoyi into the lagoon. Parkview’s drainage will connect at Femi Pedro Avenue,” Wahab added.
He said they returned to the site following Pedro’s earlier call to assess contractor work and ensure timely completion.
“We’re satisfied so far but want contractors to finish in 90 days to resolve flooding issues around Parkview,” Wahab stated.
He also addressed the issue of traders operating under bridges in Lagos Island, saying it was unsafe and must stop.
“People are often stubborn. We don’t want to disrupt their livelihoods, but safety and environmental concerns must come first.
“When commercial activity happens under infrastructure, there’s a dilemma, do we prioritise business or public safety?
“So, we asked them to vacate. If they return, it must be regulated ,not under the bridges,” he said.
Speaking about the Idumagbo Market, Wahab urged traders to operate in a more organised manner to avoid obstructing public space.
“You can trade without disrupting aesthetics or blocking the Right of Way (RoW),” Wahab said.
He pointed out that the RoW was still intact on the right side and that area remained satisfactory.
“But under the Idumagbo Bridge, trading was disorganised. We’ll close it until traders present an approved layout,” Wahab added.
On flooding, Wahab said Lagos, as a coastal city, must focus on mitigation rather than total prevention.
“Lagos faces sea-level rise, extreme rainfall, and heat due to climate change.
“To cope, we must discourage people from blocking drains and invest in resilient infrastructure,” Wahab said.
He added that flash flooding is expected, but proper systems will ensure water recedes quickly into the lagoon or Atlantic Ocean.