Experts blame wetlands destruction, blocked drainage channels, poor planning and abuse of Lekki Master Plan

DAYO AYEYEMI engages environment and building experts on the perennial flooding in Lagos, its impact on the state and its people and how the damage can be controlled.

MANY residents of Lagos are yet to recover from the shock as they recount their experiences following the recent devastating floodwaters that left their neighbourhoods in the worst condition. Many homes and valuables worth millions of naira were severely damaged by floodwaters.

While assessing the damage the annual flooding is doing to the state, built environment experts have blamed the recurring incidents of flooding on a number of factors ranging from illegal development of major wetlands to blocked water channels/drainages, poor waste disposal and the distortion of the Lekki Master Plan.

The experts are calling for the restoration of Lagos wetlands, routine maintenance of water channels and drainage system, and enforcement of town planning regulations to avert future occurrences.

Apart from exposing the city’s perennial struggle with flooding, blocked drainage channels and poor waste management, the deluge disrupted commercial and transportation activities. The huge environmental impact has brought enormous pains to most residents, who have not been comforted by the many visits and assurances from the Lagos State government officials to do the needful. According to them, nowadays, whenever the sky becomes cloudy, they become very apprehensive.

“Every downpour now brings fears of damaged property, disrupted livelihoods, prolonged traffic congestion and avoidable health risks,” one of the residents on Lagos Island said.

Recounting his experience, Mr. Alao Taofeek, a resident of the Patey area on Lagos Island, described the recent rainfall as devastating, particularly for traders in Ofin, Balogun, Idumota and Ereko markets.

According to him, the flooding reflects the growing challenges of rapid urbanisation, poor waste management and inadequate drainage infrastructure in Africa’s largest city.

Alao argued that the Ilubirin development altered the natural water channel that once served the area.

“Where the Ilubirin Estate now stands used to be a river. After it was sand-filled for construction, the water lost its natural outlet and now flows back into surrounding communities whenever there is heavy rainfall,” he said.

He also blamed indiscriminate waste disposal and poor access for waste collection vehicles on Lagos Island’s narrow streets.

“LAWMA trucks cannot access many inner streets because they are too narrow. Residents are left with few options, and some dump refuse by the roadside. Those who previously disposed of waste at Tinubu Square can no longer do so, while cart pushers have also been stopped from operating. All these contribute to blocked drains and flooding.

“This persistent flooding serves as yet another reminder that until the structural and environmental factors driving the crisis are addressed, the state will continue to experience not only flooding but also economic losses, environmental hazards and hardship for communities across Lagos,” he added.

Taofeek practically blamed the persistent flooding on blocked drainage channels and the sand-filling of the Ilubirin area.

Flooding, mostly result of years of environmental abuse

Speaking with Sunday Tribune, former Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Tayo Awomosun, said the problem of flooding in Lagos State was not a lack of planning but absolute disregard for the importance of wetlands.

Despite the low-lying location of Lagos, he pointed out that most wetlands, which are expected to store water and reduce flooding, have been illegally built upon, citing the wetlands around River Ogun in Isheri and other locations like Alapere, Ogudu and the Lekki axis, among others.

According to Google, wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide essential benefits such as flood control, water purification and biodiversity support. They act as natural sponges, clean polluted water and provide habitats for diverse plants and animals.

For climate stability, wetlands (especially peat lands) store large amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to slow down global warming.

Besides wetlands’ encroachment, Awomosun said that residents have also built on water channels and setbacks, thereby blocking the free flow of stormwater.

“Water will always find its level,” he said.

Awomosun also alleged that, due to poor environmental practices, residents have blocked most of the city’s drainages with trash, adding that climate change has made the situation worse.

“There is need to restore some of these wetlands. There are laws guiding the use of wetlands, but the government refuses to enforce them,” he said.

Another expert, Wasiu Olokunola, an engineer, said that the lack of routine maintenance of Lagos’ drainage channels was the major reason for the recurring flooding of streets and homes.

“If you don’t maintain your roads and drainage [channels], there will be problems.

“There are three types of drainages: primary, secondary and tertiary drainages. Lagos needs routine maintenance of these drains to prevent flooding,” he said.

On frequent flooding in the Lekki corridor, former President of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria, Dr. Moses Ogunleye, said the key challenge was that less than 25 per cent of the components of most master plans are implemented before they expire.

He hinted that the master plan is already being reviewed.

“The master plan is already being reviewed. Indeed, the work is being concluded,” he said.

Regardless, Ogunleye said that this was not the major challenge of storm water management in Lekki, disclosing that the Drainage Master Plan for the area has not been implemented due to poor funding.

“The key challenge is that, for most of the master plans, less than 25 per cent of the components are implemented before the plans expire. Regardless, this is not the major challenge of storm water management in the area. Even the Drainage Master Plan for the area has not been implemented. It is poorly funded,” he said.

To prevent future occurrences, he suggested that drainage works should precede development.

He pointed out that the areas worst hit by flooding this year were the same ones affected over the last five years, noting that action should have been taken.

“Let drainage works precede physical development. With that, the components would have been implemented before communities were built,” he said.

Another expert, Femi Oyedele, said the Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan has been bastardised, hence the incessant flooding of the area after heavy downpours.

“Yes, we can say the Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan has been bastardised, and that is the reason for the incessant flooding of the area after heavy downpours,” he said.

He defined the Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan as a regional development and zoning blueprint by the Lagos State Government, designed to transform the 70–80-kilometre-long Lekki Peninsula into a self-sustaining “Blue-Green Environment City”.

The master plan, he said, supports a projected population of over 5.3 million people and integrates high-end real estate with massive industrial hubs.

“There were an estimated 100,000 trees in this city that have been cut down to give way for physical development. Water bodies, including lagoons, rivers, lakes and streams, have been sand-filled for housing construction,” he said.

The worst bastardisation, Oyedele said, is the fact that there is no holistic channel for rainwater to escape because of the myriad of fenced estates developed without reference to the Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan.

He said: “The regional master plan includes the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFZ), a 16,500-hectare economic hub hosting major industrial projects like the Dangote Refinery, the Lekki Deep Sea Port and mixed-use developments like Alárò City.

“Transportation and infrastructure development in the master plan encompass the expansion of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, the proposed Lekki-Epe International Airport (3,500-hectare site), the proposed Lagos Green Line Rail, and the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

“Zoning divides the peninsula into distinct functional zones. The E2 axis focuses on financial, commercial and high-end estate properties, while the E4 axis is dedicated to logistics and industrial manufacturing.

“This beautiful plan was to be regulated by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).”

In 2024, he said, Lagos State Governor BabajideSanwo-Olu confirmed that less than 20 per cent of the buildings within the Lekki region had building approval.

“That means over 80 per cent of the buildings in the Lekki region are without building approval.

“Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu confirmed in 2024 that less than 20 per cent of the buildings within the Lekki region had building approval,” he said.

Apart from this, Oyedele said many estates in the Lekki region are disjointed, with no relationship with one another in terms of roads and drainage connectivity.

To mitigate the problem of annual flooding, Oyedele is of the opinion that private and experienced housing experts must be involved by the Lagos State Government.

He suggested the review of the master plan and the establishment of waterways.

He said: “There are easy solutions to the flooding, starting with the review of the master plan.

“There should be the establishment of waterways that will be used for transportation from the Eleko to Banana Island corridor. These waterways will also serve as floodwater absorbers during the rainy season.

Citing examples from other countries, Oyedele pointed out that over 90 per cent of the Netherlands is at or below sea level, yet the government has been able to mitigate flooding.

“Over 80 per cent of Glasgow is prone to flooding, especially the islands, but the Glasgow local government authority has been able to control flooding through several measures, including comprehensive channelling.”

According to him, flooding in Lekki can be controlled if the Lagos State government is ready to work with housing professionals in academia and private practice.

To mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding, the Lagos State government said it has intensified drainage clearance, de-silting of canals and enforcement against indiscriminate waste disposal.