The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has said some structures may be removed to allow the construction of service lanes and improved drainage along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this during a joint inspection of the highway ordered by President Bola Tinubu following public concerns over flooding in communities along the corridor.
The inspection involved officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment, members of the National Assembly, consultants, contractors and presidential aides.
Umahi dismissed claims that the coastal highway was responsible for flooding in affected Lagos communities.
He said engineering assessments showed that the drainage infrastructure along the corridor was functioning as designed.
“The coastal highway is even helping to convey floodwater from one point to another,” the minister said.
He blamed the flooding on blocked drainage channels, indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal reclamation of natural waterways and developments built without proper flood-risk planning.
Umahi said the Federal Government and Lagos State Government would collaborate on a comprehensive flood-control programme.
He said the plan would include service lanes, additional drainage infrastructure and the restoration of blocked water channels.
“Some buildings must have to go to solve this problem,” he said.
The minister added that affected property owners would be compensated where applicable in line with government procedures.
Speaking on Alpha Beach, Umahi said the community had experienced flooding long before construction of the coastal highway began.
He noted that many estates in the area were built on low-lying terrain without adequate consideration for flood levels and environmental impact.
The minister urged stricter planning standards for future developments and warned residents against dumping refuse into drains or vandalising highway infrastructure.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-West, Moremi Ojudu, said the Federal Government would begin sensitisation campaigns in affected communities.
“The coastal highway is not in any way causing the flooding issues in our homes,” she said.
She urged residents, community development associations and local leaders to support proper waste disposal and drainage maintenance.
Hitech Construction Company Managing Director, Danny Abboud, also pledged to clear blocked culverts, remove refuse from drainage channels and monitor water flow along the corridor.
