By Abdullahi Lukman
Heavy rainfall last Wednesday caused widespread flooding across parts of Lagos, crippling vehicular movement and disrupting business activities in several communities.
Flood-prone areas such as Maryland, Lekki, Ogba, and Ikorodu were severely affected, with homes, shops, and places of worship submerged.
Online videos showed residents navigating waist-deep water, while vehicles stalled on flooded roads, compounding already gridlocked traffic and leaving many commuters stranded for hours.
Responding to the incident, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, acknowledged the city’s vulnerability due to its coastal nature.
He attributed the flooding in Lekki’s Kusenla axis to a drainage system malfunction, noting that a new pumping station is being developed to address the issue.
Wahab also cited illegal constructions and reckless refuse disposal as major contributors to flooding near House on the Rock church, warning that such violations would no longer be tolerated.
He assured residents that much of the flooding had subsided by Thursday morning and urged the public to support government efforts by avoiding construction on floodplains and keeping drainage channels free of waste.
