Lawmakers Reject Claims Linking Lagos-Calabar Highway to Flooding

(Lawmakers. Photo by Daily Nigerian)

Members of the National Assembly on Monday dismissed claims that the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway triggered recent flooding in parts of Lagos, insisting that the city's perennial flooding predates the construction of the multi-billion-naira project.

The lawmakers made this declaration after inspecting the highway alongside the Minister of Works and other stakeholders, following concerns that the project had worsened flooding in some adjoining communities.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works said observations made at the project site, along with expert presentations, had convinced the lawmakers that the coastal highway was not responsible for the flooding.

He disclosed that the minister had earlier convened a stakeholders' meeting where engineers, environmental experts, and other professionals presented technical analyses on Lagos's geography, weather patterns, and drainage system.

He described the session as akin to a seminar, complete with diagrams, during which experts explained various factors relating to Lagos's geographical location, weather patterns, and other environmental considerations.

He noted that flooding in Lagos was a longstanding environmental challenge dating back several decades, stressing that the phenomenon was not new and could be traced as far back as the colonial era.

According to the senator, the movement of floodwater observed during the inspection further demonstrated that the coastal highway was not obstructing natural water channels, explaining that floodwater could be seen moving from the ocean in a particular direction, which suggested that the water would continue moving that way even without the coastal road.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works for what he described as their swift intervention following public concerns over the flooding, and also praised the minister for convening stakeholders to examine the issue and for directing the deployment of 40 youths to monitor the highway against vandalism and misuse.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works also defended the project, urging journalists and social media users to avoid attributing the flooding to the highway without scientific evidence.

He cautioned that while it may be easy to blame the coastal road for the flooding, experts should always be consulted before drawing broad conclusions, calling for responsible journalism and stressing that reports on major infrastructure projects should be based on verified facts rather than speculation.

The Senate Deputy Chief Whip said lawmakers were satisfied that the coastal highway was not responsible for flooding in the affected areas, noting that, going by history, flooding in Lagos is as old as the city itself.

He urged the Lagos State Government to collaborate with environmental experts to improve flood management, including clearing blocked drainage channels and waterways, and appealed to residents to desist from activities that obstruct natural drainage systems, noting that indiscriminate waste disposal contributes significantly to the problem.

The lawmaker expressed confidence in the minister's capacity to address Nigeria's infrastructure challenges while ensuring that the coastal highway project is delivered in line with environmental standards.